To: Joseph Harrolds
NASA would have used PV solar if they could because of politics - not cost. The solar array for Curiosity and it's batteries would dramatically increase the size, throw weight, etc. of the project. The PU generator is small and has a very high density energy production. Nuclear power generation of electricity is far lower cost on earth than PV solar, so why wouldn't it even be more so on a planet with less sunlight and a very simple radioisotope electric generator?
11 posted on
08/18/2012 5:57:57 AM PDT by
103198
To: 103198
19 posted on
08/18/2012 10:17:41 PM PDT by
SunkenCiv
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