Comments on: Astronomers push for more Pu-238 funding http://www.spacepolitics.com/2011/12/08/astronomers-push-for-more-pu-238-funding/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=astronomers-push-for-more-pu-238-funding Because sometimes the most important orbit is the Beltway... Wed, 17 Sep 2014 13:35:41 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.0.38 By: Brandon M. Sergent http://www.spacepolitics.com/2011/12/08/astronomers-push-for-more-pu-238-funding/#comment-387778 Sat, 08 Dec 2012 00:28:56 +0000 http://www.spacepolitics.com/?p=5222#comment-387778 We’re paying 500 million to destroy a huge supply of it. (sort of)

http://thoriumpetition.com/

https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/115460652257293860011

]]> By: Carlgh http://www.spacepolitics.com/2011/12/08/astronomers-push-for-more-pu-238-funding/#comment-358567 Sun, 11 Dec 2011 20:38:23 +0000 http://www.spacepolitics.com/?p=5222#comment-358567 There is no abundant fast neutron location to transmute the neptunium targets. The Fast Flux Test Facility was to have been the choice. Sec Richardson/Pres Clinton decision deactivated the needed infrastructure. Without an domestic fast reactor R&D program … put in an order with China or India, or continue the Russian purchases.

]]> By: GeeSpace http://www.spacepolitics.com/2011/12/08/astronomers-push-for-more-pu-238-funding/#comment-358476 Fri, 09 Dec 2011 13:59:16 +0000 http://www.spacepolitics.com/?p=5222#comment-358476 vulture4 wrote @ December 8th, 2011 at 10:58 pm stated
The DOE recently restarted tritium production for industrial and scientific use, which had also been stopped due to the lack of need for nuclear bombs.

Not really, vulture4. Nuvlear bombs use PU239. There are many differences between Pu 239 and Pu 238.

A lot a people dpm’t know the differences or are really against using Pu 238 for long distance space missions

]]> By: vulture4 http://www.spacepolitics.com/2011/12/08/astronomers-push-for-more-pu-238-funding/#comment-358466 Fri, 09 Dec 2011 03:58:27 +0000 http://www.spacepolitics.com/?p=5222#comment-358466 The DOE recently restarted tritium production for industrial and scientific use, which had also been stopped due to the lack of need for nuclear bombs. Plutonium production could be integrated into the fuel cycle of an existing reactor.

]]> By: Gary Anderson http://www.spacepolitics.com/2011/12/08/astronomers-push-for-more-pu-238-funding/#comment-358459 Thu, 08 Dec 2011 23:40:15 +0000 http://www.spacepolitics.com/?p=5222#comment-358459 Actually, The Tea Party in Space has been pushing re-starting Pu-238 production since it organized in April 2011.

http://teapartyinspace.org/?q=content/platform

3. Technology Development
…
Plank – NASA shall partner with the Department of Energy (DOE) and immediately resume production of plutonium ( 238 Pu) to be utilized in outer solar system exploration.

Gary Anderson
TPIS New England Coordinator
PS we continue to contact individual representatives and senators in this regard.

]]> By: GeeSpace http://www.spacepolitics.com/2011/12/08/astronomers-push-for-more-pu-238-funding/#comment-358457 Thu, 08 Dec 2011 22:26:30 +0000 http://www.spacepolitics.com/?p=5222#comment-358457 It’s good to see that there is one group pushing for the re=starting of Pu 238 production. The lack of available Pu 238 should not be the limiting factor for any space exploration mission.

]]> By: vv http://www.spacepolitics.com/2011/12/08/astronomers-push-for-more-pu-238-funding/#comment-358445 Thu, 08 Dec 2011 18:49:39 +0000 http://www.spacepolitics.com/?p=5222#comment-358445 In any case there will be a few years gap in american planetary space program, given the current funding. The lack of Pu is just a minor problem in this situation.

]]> By: amightywind http://www.spacepolitics.com/2011/12/08/astronomers-push-for-more-pu-238-funding/#comment-358440 Thu, 08 Dec 2011 18:22:45 +0000 http://www.spacepolitics.com/?p=5222#comment-358440 If the country wants an outer solar system exploration program, and I believe we do, congress will fund Pu-238 production with all haste. It is time to tune out the the impotent greens and drop our silly, reflexive opposition to all things nuclear.

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