[ RadSafe ] Mission to Mars

[Jeff Terry]

I hope that this is incorrect. Steve Howe from the Center for Space Nuclear Research recently detailed his work on nuclear propulsion with NASA during a talk at the Advanced Test Reactor Users Week. They had a number of projects in different stages. Some were very interesting concepts. 

My take was that it will be very hard to explore Mars without nuclear propulsion in a different manner than we have seen in the past. 

NASA may be the one US government agency not afraid of Nuclear. The 110 We RTG powered Curiosity has just arrived in FL. 

http://blogs.howstuffworks.com/2010/09/24/the-new-mars-rover-curiosity-is-unveiled-getting-ready-for-launch-in-2011/

Curiosity will last for about 1 year but still will leave the majority of the planet unexplored. 

The Tungsten-HEU fast reactors designs are very impressive. 

The Mars Hopper is a really clever design. http://www.marsdaily.com/reports/Fleet_Of_INL_Designed_Mars_Hoppers_Could_Swiftly_Explore_Other_Worlds_999.html


Jeff

On Jun 28, 2011, at 9:07 PM, Otto Raabe wrote:

> At 05:47 PM 6/27/2011, JPreisig at aol.com wrote:
>> Guess I've been thinking more about a space  mission to Mars with
>> Enriched fission (Uranium or whatever) propulsion......
> **********
> I think it will use the standard rockets, not nuclear power.
> 
> Otto
> 
> 
> Prof. Otto G. Raabe, Ph.D., CHP
> Center for Health & the Environment
> University of California
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