NASA Developing Nuclear Reactor For Moon and Mars

Al writes "NASA recently finished testing a miniature nuclear reactor that would provide power for an astronaut base on the Moon or Mars. The reactor combines a small fission system with a Stirling engine to make a 'safe, reliable, and efficient' way to produce electricity. The system being tested at NASA's Glenn Research Center can produce 2.3 kilowatts and could be ready for launch by 2020, NASA officials say. The reactor ought to provide much more power than solar panels but could prove controversial with the public concerned about launching a nuclear power source and placing it on the Moon or another planet."

Comments

Re:That's only 20 Amps at 115V

[morgan_greywolf]

What you talking about? Why, I've got my refrigerator, stove, microwave, radio, TV, kitchen computer, toasater, coffee maker, espresso machine, coffee grinder, a few lights and more plugged all into one . I did have to replace that breaker switch that kept blowing, but for now, I just hard-wired it in.... I can run them all at the same time. Watch!

*sniff* *sniff*

Hmmm....smells like something burning...gotta go!

Re:It shouldn't be any more controversial...

[TheRaven64]

Quick, someone get this guy a Nobel Prize! He's worked out how to unify the strong and weak nuclear interactions! Only electromagnetism and gravity to go!

Re:Backups

[FishWithAHammer]

Whoops, he's desperate for hugs again. Nice modding, manchild.