On Nov 18, 10:50*am, Chris L Peterson wrote:
On Thu, 18 Nov 2010 03:28:06 -0800 (PST), wrote:
There were several accidents involving nuclear-equipped spacecraft
with what seem to have been, in retrospect, benign outcomes WRT
nuclear contamination. *These occurred before the Cassini and New
Horizons protests. The engineers were well aware of potential dangers
and designed accordingly, without input from the protesters.

I didn't say the engineers weren't aware of the potential dangers, nor
that they in any way had bad designs.

You suggested that good design was inspired by the protests. Clearly
it was not, the designs were already good at the time that the
protests took place.

I was only pointing out that
gadflies can actually provide some service in bringing these kinds of
things to the public eye, and helping ensure that an issue really is
properly reviewed.

It had already been properly reviewed since the technology for robust
RTGs had already been developed, had been utilized and even been
proven in real life accidents, BEFORE the protests.

If you read the safety report for a mission that uses
RTGs, it is clear that special effort is made to address any public
concerns.

The protesters aren't really concerned about nuclear contamination,
they have other agenda that are the real reason for their protests.