All Questions
6
questions
5
votes
0
answers
87
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Will the next deorbiting reactor be on a "safe disposal" trajectory, or re-enter as an uncontrolled derelict?
Kosmos 954 was a reconnaissance satellite launched by the Soviet Union
in 1977, powered by a nuclear reactor containing 50Kg of highly
enriched uranium-235
Soviet officials … lost control over the ...
- 22.8k
3
votes
2
answers
307
views
Is there a rocket that is publicly in the process of being certified to carry nuclear payloads to space?
As it currently stands in the US, only 1 rocket has the proper certification to carry a nuclear payload to space, and that is Atlas 5. (At least, this was my last knowledge). Atlas is nearing end of ...
- 121k
8
votes
1
answer
846
views
How many nuclear fission reactors have been launched into space? How many are still there?
I remember p@Hobbes's answer to Which countries have built RTGs and used them in Earth orbit and/or beyond? mentioning that the US has put one nuclear fission reactor in space, and that not much was ...
- 148k
17
votes
1
answer
2k
views
What does it mean for a launcher to be 'nuclear-certified'?
This article says NASA has booked a nuclear-certified Atlas 5 for the launch of the Mars 2020 rover, and says this:
currently, Atlas 5 is the only launch vehicle that holds a NASA
certification ...
- 21.4k
15
votes
1
answer
2k
views
How does the launch risk for a plutonium RTG and a uranium fission reactor compare?
I was looking at this answer that talks about how a good alternative to Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators would be fission reactors. It makes a number of good points, but in the comment thread ...
- 21.4k
16
votes
2
answers
843
views
How does the launch risk posed by plutonium compare to the launch risk posed by propellants?
For outer solar system exploration, virtually the only feasible power subsystem are Radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs). These include plutonium, which may carry considerable risks (see ...
- 11.7k