Nuclear fission, was: Mars Society Statement on Bush Space Initiative

There seems to be a implicit assumptions that a working nuclear
reactor will be launched into space. I don't understand why this
assumption is made. It makes no sense at all. Reactors, even small
ones are bigger than the largest rockets available. A reactor would
have to be shipped into space in pieces and put together there.

Now once we accept that the reactor would leave the planet in pieces,
there is nothing in any of the pieces (including the fuel which would
most likely be Thorium or Uranium 235) that is actually dangerous.

Perhaps NASA might decide to ship a starter rod (a rod that has
already been in a reactor and thus has a higher level of
radioactivity) but even that is not necessary.

The high levels of radiation don't start until the reactor is started.

Does anyone seriously believe that NASA would buy a used reactor to
launch into space in one piece?

Bill