Bill: Message #1314

Have a look at
http://www.ans.neep.wisc.edu/~ans/point_source/AEI/sep96/materials.html for
some more info on Sr-90. Although sadly there isn't likely to be much on them
on the net.

The fact that Sr-90 is a common and troublesome waste product of nuclear power
means it would be very cheap to get if we get permission (we might even get it
for free).

As for Am reactors, the idea is sound and would work as intended. But it would
be pretty hard to do as the sheets would have to be very thin and would go
critial very easily (making control difficult). It could beat Orion in Isp and
would be good for interstellar missions.

When it comes to nuclear power I tend to prefer using it whereever it's the
best option. Of course that depends on a number of factors (cost, fuel
avilablity, size and mass requirements, political factors, comparisions with
other systems, etc).

--- John Wheeler wrote: