NASA to launch huge orbiting nuclear reactor!

NASA is to launch an giant orbiting nuclear reactor, with the high energy
being beamed back to receivers on earth.

A spokesperson said that whilst there were risks with this program
detractors had greatly overestimated them.

Environmentalist have pointed out several hazards of the project,
particularly for anyone caught in the open by the energy beam from the
reactor: -

* second degree burns after as little as ten minutes exposure (especially
children)
* huge increase in the risk of skin cancer (especially older people)
* temporary sight impairment if beam observed accidentally even for a few
seconds
* permanent blindness if observed for a few minutes.

The rays will also cause material damage - bleaching paint and even melting
roads or starting forest fires.

The highly experimental fusion reactor is unshielded to save weight so gamma
rays and high velocity particles will form part of the beam, approximately
equivalent to all the [background] radiation from rocks on earth or all the
radioactivity from the surface nuclear tests from 1945 to 1962.

Nasa have responded to this by announcing that people will be encouraged to
buy screening treatments for their skin and protective goggles and that the
reactor will go round once a day, so at least half the earth will be
shielded at any one time. .

Some change in sea level can be expected on a regular basis, however when
combined with tides caused by the moon this may lead to large scale
flooding...

--

R. Mark Clayton

nospamclayton@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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Relevant Pages

  • Re: NASA to launch huge orbiting nuclear reactor!
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  • Re: NASA to launch huge orbiting nuclear reactor!
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  • Re: NASA to launch huge orbiting nuclear reactor!
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