Why flying to Europa suddenly became such a high NASA priority

Space/Science » in reply to MTHEL shoots down mortar rounds

E.P. Grondine — 8/30/2004 4:01:22 PM (archived)

http://www.eurekalert.org/features/doe/2002-04/dlnl-bff053102.php

That's why NASA is placing such a high priority on developing nuclear power generators for space - they're for ballistic missile defense.

Personally, I like them because they can be used for asteroid and comet diversion via ablative jet reactions - just burn off a bit of the surface, and the vapor works as a jet reaction to change the asteroid or comet's course away from Earth impact.

I also think that that's the only reason why NASA would be allowed to develop space nuclear power generators. "Exploration" (cough, cough) ain't going to do it.

ep

The whole thread (17 posts)

MTHEL shoots down mortar rounds - Peter Bruener - 8/30/2004 5:12:37 AM
- Why flying to Europa suddenly became such a high NASA priority - E.P. Grondine - 8/30/2004 4:01:22 PM
- re: MTHEL shoots down mortar rounds - Larry J - 8/30/2004 2:18:19 PM
  - Most likely a YAG based system - R.L. - 8/30/2004 3:47:04 PM
    - Deuterium Fluoride - et - 8/30/2004 4:28:41 PM
      - Chemistry a bit weak...why would a chemical laser need deuterium? - Tom Brosz - 8/31/2004 5:08:48 AM
        
        deuterium is a stable isotope - R.L. - 8/31/2004 9:07:36 AM
        
        Crap. You're right. Somehow I was thinking tritium. *blush* (n/t) - Tom Brosz - 8/31/2004 4:40:26 PM
        
        Deuterium is what's routinely used in the VASIMR lab experiments now. - et - 8/31/2004 4:12:08 PM
        
        There are HF lasers - R.L. - 8/31/2004 8:57:11 AM
        
        Molecular weight: that explains it. Thanks! - Tom Brosz - 8/31/2004 4:41:31 PM
        
        "Heavy" hydrofluoric acid? - et - 8/31/2004 6:08:23 PM
        
        "Just Add Water." (n/t) - Tom Brosz - 9/1/2004 2:40:16 AM
        
        I looked it up because I thought it would've been a FEL. Not a YAG, silly t-sip.... ;) (n/t) - et - 8/31/2004 4:14:19 PM
      - Ouch!!!!! - R.L.L - 8/30/2004 6:05:01 PM
- re: MTHEL shoots down mortar rounds - dtb - 8/30/2004 5:55:59 AM
  - re: green women in tin-foil bikinis! - Peter Bruener - 8/30/2004 6:38:40 AM

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