Its just that the nuclear electric power generators are being developed to power a heta capacity solid state laser missile defense system...

You're right about the political opposition - but if NASA had any sense they'd be developing this for the CAPS system - Comet and Asteroid Protection System, instead of trying to bs everyone as to how important Jupiter has suddenly become.

It ain't that no one don't like us, but if DoD wants to put this on NASA's dime, and use NASA for political cover, then NASA better have a damned good reason for developing it for them. Jupiter won't do, and my guess is that it will go down, leaving us without CAPS.

As for manned Mars, you want solar thermal powered cyclers anyway.

oh well. f*** em, might as well sit back and enjoy the show..

ep