On 6/9/11 1:18 PM, William H. Fite wrote:
I well recall the furor over Cassini-Huygens in 1997 but approval was
ultimately granted and, of course, the launch was without incident. Since
then, New Horizons, Galileo, and Ulysses have been launched with far less
public outcry, despite the fact that all are powered by RTGs. Arguably,
well-designed reactors could be even safer.
Galileo was launched before Cassini.
MSL is carrying RTGs and launches Nov-Dec this year.
The problem isn't so much political as practical. Limited fuel
availability, and you don't get kilowatts from an RTG.
Kilowatts from solar panels are very doable, but expensive. A typical
GEO comsat will probably have 10 or more kW of power available, but it's
a billion dollar plus thing. GPS is smaller, lighter, etc.
Juno is going to Jupiter in a couple months, and is solar powered...
quite the challenge at 5 AU.. it has monster solar arrays.
GPS orbits are tough from a radiation standpoint too.
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