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Old November 15th 14, 01:49 AM posted to sci.space.policy
Rick Jones
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Default Cosmic 1st: European spacecraft lands on comet

Vaughn wrote:
Actually, the general policy has been to avoid use of RTG's whenever
solar power will do. Regardless of the ease of shielding, Plutonium
is nasty stuff. A main concern when using it would be the
possibility of a launch accident sprinkling it around the launch
area. Remember that Antares accident just two weeks ago? Imagine
it happening with a payload that included nuclear materials.


I thought that the RTGs were designed/built with that contingency in
mind? At, I suppose, something of a weight cost.

rick jones
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