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2006-05-13 Science & Technology

Could NASA Get To Pluto Faster? Space Expert Says Yes - By Thinking Nuclear

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Posted by 3dc 2006-05-13 00:00|| || Front Page|| [3 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 Could NASA Get To Pluto Faster? Space Expert Says Yes - By Thinking Nuclear

the power of thought, who knew?

Posted by RD 2006-05-13 00:42|| 2006-05-13 00:42|| Front Page Top

#2 Yeah, right now there are two choices for this. Nuclear and Ion. Ion is only realistic for the outer planets and beyond, due to the long thrust cycle. Ion is actually better the father you go, so it is great for an Alpha / Beta Centauri run.

Just look at Cassini to understand the odds of getting another nuclear powered probe off the ground. There was actually international attempts to stop the launch. Next time will be worse too.

In the end though, we HAVE to get off the planet for the survival of our species. This is a must, and the sooner we do it, even with just a moon base, the better. Large Ion drives may be our best bet for this in near future.

Posted by bombay">bombay 2006-05-13 09:24|| 2006-05-13 09:24|| Front Page Top

#3 Good! PALS to PLUTO! Islam's 69th holiest site!

Posted by borgboy 2006-05-13 11:04|| 2006-05-13 11:04|| Front Page Top

#4 Why do we HAVE to get off the planet for the survival of our species???

Posted by Slinelet Jomolet1407 2006-05-13 11:09|| 2006-05-13 11:09|| Front Page Top

#5 Is that Project Orion ship sitting in a boneyard somewhere just waiting to fly. Iran would make a nice launch site for it.

Posted by 3dc 2006-05-13 13:02|| 2006-05-13 13:02|| Front Page Top

#6 Why do we HAVE to get off the planet for the survival of our species???

Because, somewhere out there, is a big rock with Earth's name on it. Need a self-contained base on another world to provide breeding stock to repopulate the planet.

Posted by Steve">Steve 2006-05-13 14:12|| 2006-05-13 14:12|| Front Page Top

#7 Why do we HAVE to get off the planet for the survival of our species?

Because we could get clumped with an asteroid or solar flare or suffer a new Ice Age .
If there's no one out there (?) then hey, that's a lot of real estate and potential resources.
This would spur technology here too.

Posted by jim#6 2006-05-13 18:14|| 2006-05-13 18:14|| Front Page Top

#8 I would not bet Pluto on species survival.

Posted by john">john 2006-05-13 21:09|| 2006-05-13 21:09|| Front Page Top

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