Pwokenyaw said:

>they're sending it to the Jupiter system, spending billions of dollars
>on what Gary has described as a "technology demonstration."

That's what JIMO is and I think it is important that this very important technology be demonstrated.

Does it make scientific sense to send the JIMO hardware to Titan or Triton instead?

Yes!

Is there a possibility of a JIMO type vehicle being funded for such a mission prior to technological demonstration?

No way!

The political advantage of Jupiter is in being the closest world where nuclear electric propulsion is required. You can get to Mars and closer with solar electric so you can't justify development of the nuclear reactor. Jupiter also has the huge advantage of having Europa orbiting it. Europa means EXOBIOLOGY! When you add exobiology to the scientific mix, the frontal lobes of the bean counters and politicians disconnect. With exobiology, prohibitively expensive missions suddenly and mysteriously become politically viable. That's what JIMO is all about. Getting a fundamental new technology funded and developed. After JIMO has flown then the whole outer Solar System is open to exploration through nuclear electric propulsion.

Gary