Re:Nuclear Conversion for Starship
by LargoLasskhyfv on Saturday November 04, 2023 @01:09AM
(#38138333)
> America is also unlikely to learn how to build aerospace nuclear reactors in this century.
Why should it? It already knows. Since last century:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Pluto
In a place called 'Jackass Flats', of all things...(Giggle)
Edit: Or take the https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NERVA mentioned here by credit_guy: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=38136383
Same place, name is program :-)
Sure you can. Russia has blown up multiple experimental nuclear-powered cruise missiles in the last few years [0,1]. It's a political question of tradeoffs, of how much you value technological progress.
America hasn't blown up any atmospheric nuclear reactors in this century. America is also unlikely to learn how to build aerospace nuclear reactors in this century.
[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nyonoksa_radiation_accident
[1] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=16509396 ("U.S. Has Been Watching Russia's Nuclear-Powered Cruise Missiles Crash and Burn (thedrive.com)")