when you really open your mind to the possibilities, what can't be done with nuclear bombs, folks?!!

[basquebromance]

what about rocket engines powered by a launchable nuclear reactor. the tiny reactor would provide the propulsion necessary for interplanetary travel.

in the 60s there was research into atomic-powered supersonic jets (NY to London in 30 seconds!) and even nuclear cars!

https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/AEC History.pdf

 

[basquebromance]

"the idea of digging the Panama Canal with hydrogen bombs is biological insanity" - Dr John Gofman head of the biomedical division at harvard in the 60s

not so, my friends, not so!

 

[basquebromance]

we need to use atom bombs to drill for gas. you can do anything!

 

[basquebromance]

President Nixon's 1971 report to Congress on energy issues included the promise of more "nuclear stimulation experiments which seek to produce natural gas from tight geologic formations"

in 1973, our nation's experiments in nuclear fracking was abandoned, after 4 glorious years of trying really really hard!

 

[MisterBeale]

what about rocket engines powered by a launchable nuclear reactor. the tiny reactor would provide the propulsion necessary for interplanetary travel.

in the 60s there was research into atomic-powered supersonic jets (NY to London in 30 seconds!) and even nuclear cars!

https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/AEC History.pdf

Maybe you are too young to remember this, but I just can't imagine the radioactive fall out and pollution to the environment if these things were nuclear. . . .

 

[MisterBeale]

 

[Manonthestreet]

I think fighting climate change is it biggest value. Think of all the coal plants we could wipe out in China and India

 

[22lcidw]

what about rocket engines powered by a launchable nuclear reactor. the tiny reactor would provide the propulsion necessary for interplanetary travel.

in the 60s there was research into atomic-powered supersonic jets (NY to London in 30 seconds!) and even nuclear cars!

https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/AEC History.pdf

Maybe you are too young to remember this, but I just can't imagine the radioactive fall out and pollution to the environment if these things were nuclear. . . .

We have sent nuclear powered spacecraft or part of the space craft mission parameters into space. Just not nuclear powered engines. The nuclear fuel was/is encased for safety.

 

[MisterBeale]

what about rocket engines powered by a launchable nuclear reactor. the tiny reactor would provide the propulsion necessary for interplanetary travel.

in the 60s there was research into atomic-powered supersonic jets (NY to London in 30 seconds!) and even nuclear cars!

https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/AEC History.pdf

Maybe you are too young to remember this, but I just can't imagine the radioactive fall out and pollution to the environment if these things were nuclear. . . .

We have sent nuclear powered spacecraft or part of the space craft mission parameters into space. Just not nuclear powered engines. The nuclear fuel was/is encased for safety.

 

[Frannie]

what about rocket engines powered by a launchable nuclear reactor. the tiny reactor would provide the propulsion necessary for interplanetary travel.

in the 60s there was research into atomic-powered supersonic jets (NY to London in 30 seconds!) and even nuclear cars!

https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/AEC History.pdf

Dude there are already nuke powered spacecraft. That said nuclear power as the navy uses it does not create more power per say in a liftoff. Might be useful as an ion drive power source though