[Arkie2]

This being a BBC report they failed to mention Deep Space One, the first use of an Ion engine by NASA. Other than that it's a very informative article about the direction of deep space exploration.

[Arkie2]

ping

[AntiGuv]

There will doubtless be protests and opposition to the use of nuclear power in space.

They should send the protesters along to 'monitor' the missions..

[chimera]

But, explains Prometheus project manager John Casani, "people are saying that the Jimo mission is so important, so high profile, maybe we should take a baby step before we take that giant step.

Pretty good spinning, there. Last I heard JIMO was being given the short shrift, essentially canceling ("deferring") the mission. And I have been working on parts of it, so it's a pretty firm rumor, as rumors go.

[Wiz]

Let antimatter propulsion engines to be used. :)

[Plutarch]

It was radiation that caused Godzilla, which has destroyed Tokyo several times. God forbid Man introduces radiation into the Solar System, because the monsters that would thereby be created from the harmless aliens now peacefully inhabiting these planets would make our experience with Motha look like a Sunday picnic.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

We could use some power sources here on earth....the windmills have a problem:

Windmill Crippled in High Winds (Pics)

[KevinDavis]

Had we have a nuclear propulsion i.e. Orion, we would be on Mars right now, but no the anti-nuke freaks had us cancel the program.

[RightWhale]

Interesting about Goddard. He was way ahead of his time. He had an ion motor of some kind in his lab in a vacuum chamber made out of gas pipe.

[demlosers]

There will doubtless be protests and opposition to the use of nuclear power in space.

Screw them, they're just stupid people.