Hacker News
new
|
past
|
comments
|
ask
|
show
|
jobs
|
submit
login
DennisP
on Aug 1, 2014
|
parent
|
context
|
favorite
| on:
NASA presents evidence that microwave thrusters se...
Normal uranium reactors produce a mix of plutonium isotopes, which are hard to separate and end up as nuclear waste. NASA needs pure Pu-238, which has to be made in specialized reactors.
Pxtl
on Aug 1, 2014
[–]
Iirc, all Canadian CANDU reactors produce large amounts of weapons-grade plutonium.
sanxiyn
on Aug 1, 2014
|
parent
|
next
[–]
Which is exactly the problem. RTG needs Pu-238, and can't use weapons-grade plutonium, which is mainly Pu-239.
astrodust
on Aug 7, 2014
|
parent
|
prev
[–]
That design has also been altered by India to consume the plutonium by-product, using it as fuel.
Guidelines
|
FAQ
|
Lists
|
API
|
Security
|
Legal
|
Apply to YC
|
Contact
Search:
