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Nuclear Powered Mission to Jovian Moons

Posted by michael on from the need-more-power dept.

Skyshadow writes "The San Francisco Chronicle has an article about NASA's new project, the JIMO (Jupiter Icy Moons Orbiter). The probe is designed specifically to search for liquid water and signs of life on Europa, as well as making detailed observations of Callisto and Ganymede. Planned for a 2010 liftoff, this new probe makes all previous interplanetary probes look wussy: it'll be 300 feet long and powered by a next-gen fission reactor (as opposed to nuclear batteries). Sure beats blowing money circling the earth over and over again..."

2 of 378 comments (clear)

  1. There is no life on Europa. by pyth · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    I'll be laughing at all you Sci-Fi fanboys when it finally dawns on you - we are alone.

  2. Re:It gets worse... by gnu-generation-one · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    "Or alternatively that nuclear material could be the neccesary kick that life there needs."

    Yay! Arms shipments to Jupiter. I knew the administration would come up with a good reason for going there...

    Jupiter is named after the god of war, Europa is named after the continent of war, and the americans are going there. Should be lovely and peaceful.