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NASA Running Low On Fuel For Space Exploration

Posted by timothy on from the let's-explore-earth-for-more dept.

smooth wombat writes "With the end of the Cold War came warmer relations with old adversaries, increased trade and a world less worried about nuclear war. It also brought with it an unexpected downside: lack of nuclear fuel to power deep space probes. Without this fuel, probes beyond Jupiter won't work because there isn't enough sunlight to use solar panels, which probes closer to the sun use. The fuel NASA relies on to power deep space probes is plutonium-238. This isotope is the result of nuclear weaponry, and since the United States has not made a nuclear device in 20 years, the supply has run out. For now, NASA is using Soviet supplies, but they too are almost exhausted. It is estimated it will cost at least $150 million to resume making the 11 pounds per year that is needed for space probes."

13 of 282 comments (clear)

  1. buy it from North Korea or Iran by stoolpigeon · · Score: 5, Funny

    Or if that wont work it looks like there is a decent chance we'll be able to buy some from the Taliban soon.

    --
    It's hard to believe that's how Micronians are made. Why don't we see it right now by having you both kiss one another?
    1. Re:buy it from North Korea or Iran by Gat0r30y · · Score: 4, Funny

      there is a decent chance we'll be able to buy some from the Taliban soon.

      Buy it from Pakistan now, before the Taliban takes over.

      --
      Prediction: The real iPhone killer is going to be sex robots from Japan. Think about it.
    2. Re:buy it from North Korea or Iran by snl2587 · · Score: 5, Funny

      Nah, we'll just invade a few years later searching for weapons of mass destruction. Then, after a few short weeks, the dictator will be gone, we'll have our plutonium, and (as a side benefit) the North Korean people will love us! Foolproof plan.

    3. Re:buy it from North Korea or Iran by hardburn · · Score: 4, Funny

      What do you tell these people? How will they react? How will you govern them?

      It can work, as long as you think about these issues along with the rest of the invasion plan. Going in and just expecting to be greeted as liberators is criminally naive.

      --
      Not a typewriter
  2. In unrelated news... by turthalion · · Score: 5, Funny

    In news unrelated to their shortage of plutonium, NASA is also looking for a buyer for a shiny bomb casing full of used pinball machine parts...

    --
    Michael Coyne
    http://turthalion.blogspot.com
  3. Read the gnikcuf summary by tepples · · Score: 4, Funny
    Anonymous Coward might have been trying to make a bad joke:

    Can't wind farms and solar energy suffice?

    No. Wind farms work on the relative velocity between the ground and the atmosphere, but in space, there's no ground and almost no atmosphere. And the summary states: "there isn't enough sunlight to use solar panels".

    1. Re:Read the gnikcuf summary by Tanktalus · · Score: 4, Funny

      Never has a "woosh" post been more relevant than in a thread poking fun at wind power...

  4. Re:Look to newcomers? by peragrin · · Score: 4, Funny

    problem is they will most likely want to deliver it themselves.

    --
    i thought once I was found, but it was only a dream.
  5. Re:Beam energy? by stoolpigeon · · Score: 5, Funny

    You're right. About the first part.

    --
    It's hard to believe that's how Micronians are made. Why don't we see it right now by having you both kiss one another?
  6. Re:Uranus is dark? by twidarkling · · Score: 4, Funny

    No, remember, Uranus is where the sun doesn't shine.

    --
    Canada: The US's more awesome sibling.
  7. In your face, Edwin Starr! by Guido+del+Confuso · · Score: 5, Funny

    War! Huh! What is it good for?

    Space exploration, apparently.

  8. Re:Hm, an idea by stoolpigeon · · Score: 4, Funny

    That's what your body thetans want you to think.

    --
    It's hard to believe that's how Micronians are made. Why don't we see it right now by having you both kiss one another?
  9. Oblig BTTF quote... by JJRRutgers · · Score: 4, Funny

    "I'm sure that in 1985 plutonium is available in every corner drug store, but in 1955 it's a little hard to come by."