Russian space probe hysteria! -Reply

[JMUCKERHEIDE@delphi.com]

> Date: Tue, 19 Nov 1996 09:10:31 -0600
> From: Bob Boston <BOSTON@POC.LMAES.LMCO.COM>
> Subject: Russian space probe hysteria! -Reply
> 
> National Public Radio had story on 11/18/96 concerning the reentry.  I
> was completely surprised when the reporter presented mostly facts.
> The reporter discussed the release of radioactivity with a NASA official
> who presented the fact that plutonium thermo electric batteries are
> designed for earth reentry and that no release of radioactivity was
> expected.  They also talked about plutonium being an inhalation hazard
> and that the plutonium was in a ceramic form that would not easily go
> airborne.
> 
> Maybe there is some hope for the media after all.

More credit also to Beverly Cook of DOE, Manager of the space generator
program, in explaining the significance of the ceramic form "that would break
like a coffee cup" in preventing respirable particles; and the recovery
experience of a satellite that was blown up, the generators recovered from the 
ocean and used again! Good treatment also of the "no other source" for deep
space work (without mentioning the $$millions wasted in trying to find
anything else in response to political misdirection). 

Thanks.

Regards, Jim Muckerheide
jmuckerheide@delphi.com