Update on Project Prometheus

Aglassis writes "It appears that NASA is not backing down from their nuclear space initiative. Project Prometheus has recently started a new web page (under JPL) and NASA is finishing up a period of public comment (last session today). Currently Northrop Grumman is contracted to begin preliminary design of the spacecraft until 2008 for NASA (the reactor will be built by the Department of Energy's Division of Naval Reactors--the folks who control all US submarine and aircraft carrier nuclear reactors). Early specs are that it will be 60 meters long, have a 30,000 kg mass, use a 100 KW reactor using Brayton cycle gas turbines, be powered by ion thrusters with a 7000 second specific impulse, and have a science payload of 1500 kg. Early mission plans for Prometheus 1 (Jupiter Icy Moons Orbiter) indicate that the spacecraft would orbit Callisto, Ganymede, and Europa individually, and perhaps have a lifespan of about 20 years."

Comments

The U.S. has a good track record.

[crottsma]

The reason it's not an issue for the U.S. to use nuclear power is because we're genuinely interested in only using nuclear power in virtue of its energy-providing capabilities, not in virtue of its WMD capabilities. If Iran had a consistent record of pacifist-endeavors, it, too could be part of this wonderful cause. The minute that NASA workers strap nukes to their chests and run amok in downtime Washington D.C. is the minute I revoke my support for the U.S.

"Nu-cul-ar, it's pronounced, nu-cul-ar."

-Homer Simpson

Re:Thank god

[William Robinson]

Yes, This cerntainly is good news.

There are few reasons why fission (and fusion) based spacecrafts are supposed to be bad choices. 1. The mass of reactor is lot higher. 2. The nuclear(fission) reaction is not clean. The radiation (yes no shielding is enough) can be hazardous to equipments. 3. There are safety hazards for manned missions. 4. Failed launches will spread debris of nuclear waste all over the earth. 5. Operation/automation of nuclear reactor is much more complex task than operating the spacecraft itself. Fusion technology has a long way to go before it becomes operational in space. Maybe Cold Fusion first, yes.

EVACUATE! EVACUATE!

[solafide]

A malfunction has caused the spacecraft to dump its highly radioactive fuel onto [insert densely populated area]. Evacuate this area immediately! If you do not, possible side effects are nausea, vomiting, and death!

LOL!

Massive waste of money

[mclaincausey]

I think we have more pressing issues than bankrolling pointless exercises. I'm curious about the solar system, but am more concerned with dealing with the immediate crises facing us here on the Third Stone.

Re:Thank god

[Thing 1]

I, too, am so glad that we aren't judged by the cows who share our genetic material.

(To think, I almost believed that idiot backwoods of Maine aunt (at least it was by marriage!) who burned (fucking burned!!! ) the Madonna tapes my sister gave her daughter, saying they were evil. It's so easy to blame your destructive behavior on evil, but in the end, well, you're just behaving destructively towards the people your God told you to protect and serve, so you're not really setting up a good future relationship, are you? </rant>)