Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Are Nuclear Powered Mars Rovers a Good Idea?

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the got-any-better-ideas dept.

meatybeans writes "NASA officials are meeting today, with concerned residents around Cape Canaveral, regarding the power system for the upcoming Mars Science Lab mission. MSL is going to be like our current rovers on steroids. The plans call for a larger, heavier rover with a lot more juice for gadgets. This meeting however brings to light the issue of the power system for the MSL. The Mars Science Lab originally called for a nuclear power source, much like the Cassini and New Horizon missions use. Some vocal opposition to this has been voiced in the past. As a result, NASA has backup plans to employ solar power and small amounts of RTG's ? if arguments against straight nuclear for MSL win out. As with most, things 'NIMBY' ? seems to be in full effect when it comes RTG's. Does the recent success of the rovers show us that RTG's are not needed for Mars exploration? Are 1:420 odds of an accident that bad? Finally, are the hearings that are taking place between NASA and the public really just a formality in the name of public relations?"

6 of 173 comments (clear)

  1. Yes by 6Yankee · · Score: 4, Funny

    Of course it's a good idea! Ship all the evil nukuler stuff to Mars and the terrrrrists can't get their hands on it!

    For now.

  2. Unnecessary by tygerstripes · · Score: 4, Funny

    Why don't they just use batteries? I hear Sony has a surplus.

    --
    Meta will eat itself
    1. Re:Unnecessary by ultranova · · Score: 3, Funny

      I wonder what Sony is doing with all of their unexploded batteries? I hope they aren't stored too close to each other. Sending them into space would be a good way to dispose of them...

      Sell them to terrorists, of course. "Nobody move, he has a Sony battery! Now calm down, son..."

      --

      Forget magic. Any technology distinguishable from divine power is insufficiently advanced.

    2. Re:Unnecessary by Nutria · · Score: 3, Funny
      I wonder what Sony is doing with all of their unexploded batteries?

      Dump them into the ocean. It's pretty big.

      Besides, out of sight, out of mind.

      --
      "I don't know, therefore Aliens" Wafflebox1
  3. Re:They'll be perfectly fine by CosmeticLobotamy · · Score: 4, Funny

    You're about to get called dumb. Brace yourself.

  4. The anti-NIMBY by Marxist+Hacker+42 · · Score: 3, Funny

    I'm so anti-NIMBY on RTGs that I'd like 3 buried in my foundation for my house.

    --
    SJW: a person who perceives an injustice, and while correcting it, commits a greater injustice.