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NUCLEARSPACE MESSAGE BOARD (ACTIVE) -> NUCLEAR POWER AND PROPULSION IN SPACE -> DOE shorts RTG fuel Pu-238
Post Info TOPIC: DOE shorts RTG fuel Pu-238
NUKE ROCKY44


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DOE shorts RTG fuel Pu-238
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WoW!! Congress, NASA, DOE, White House can't even scrape together enough funds to do some basic space research?

Shame on the USA!! For not supporting basic space research. You can't do anything in space without collecting proper data.
 
Who should pay?
 
But Congress has refused to provide the funding to restart production. Lawmakers last year rejected an Obama administration request for $30 million in fiscal year 2010 for the Department of Energy (DOE) to initiate 238Pu production. Although the appropriators did not dispute the need for new material, they argued that NASA, the customer, should pay the cost. The White House came back with an FY 2011 request of $15 million for each agency. The appropriations process was still pending as Physics Today went to press, although Senate appropriators have again rejected funding for DOEs portion.
Physicstoday


read full article: http://members.shaw.ca/bru_b/Pu-238Short.htm



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Bruce Behrhorst
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Here's an interesting Google TechTalk regarding using a U-233/Th-232 molten salt breeder cycle to produce 1000 MWe power and about 15kg of Pu-238/year for space exploration. Interesting...

http://energyfromthorium.com/2011/01/28/save-u233-techtalk-video/


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NUKE ROCKY44


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Sorensen mentioned the Indian source since they're big fans of (Thorium).
The reactor is the MULTI-PURPOSE NUCLEAR POWER PACK
The concept is a 5MW(th) Pb-Bi coolant thermal spectrum small reactor without on-site refueling for ~10 yrs life span under R&D @ Bhabha Atomic Center.
Of course these are all in the SMR without on-site refuel class.
I guess, Sorensen stated the Indians could make changes to make Pu238.
This breeder is a U233/Th232/Zr metallic alloy fuel. I guess if there was an economic plan offer the Indians could be a source of Pu238. And of course the other source would be to up-blend the Oak Ridge U233.
I would think Russia(SBVD)-India-U.S. would be in the future sources for Pu238 in abundance. A shortage would not take place in the future. 
As I've 'crowed' before about SMR's use, more countries are looking toward SMR's to solve energy problems.

This is the nuclear industry adapting to needs and costs. Finally this nuclear technology model can be used to make money on production of MWe, MWth and isotope manufacture for meds and space exploration etc.

Small is better sometimes.


-- Edited by NUKE ROCKY44 on Sunday 30th of January 2011 05:04:05 AM

-- Edited by NUKE ROCKY44 on Sunday 30th of January 2011 05:16:30 AM

-- Edited by NUKE ROCKY44 on Sunday 30th of January 2011 05:44:54 AM

-- Edited by NUKE ROCKY44 on Sunday 30th of January 2011 05:45:33 AM

-- Edited by NUKE ROCKY44 on Monday 31st of January 2011 01:18:17 AM

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Bruce Behrhorst
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