NASA Running Low On Fuel For Space Exploration

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."

Comments

Great investment...

[jcwayne]

Plutonium-238 for 2015 delivery now trading at $852,272.73 per ounce.

Two Birds

[Gim Tom]

This is a golden opportunity. Just develop an automobile with a Stirling Engine heated with PU-238 and let all the oil companies in on the action. In no time PU-238 will be EVERYWHERE! Results - Reduced CO2 output, cars that go 1,000,000 miles on a fill up, and the a better than even chance at population reduction!

They Need a Mr. Fusion

[caffeinejolt]

See here: http://images.google.com/images?q=mr+fusion. Mr Fusion was pioneered after problems dealing with Iranians who historically had supplied Plutonium out of the back of their VW Bus.

Just one more instance where liberal ideas fail

[Xaoswolf]

Solar power just doesn't work. When will people learn this...