[Dr. I. C. Spots]

they don't use rocks to propel navy subs,... that sub was developed based on known standards and mathematical processes that do not change and have been proven, not assumed.

[tacticalogic]

they don't use rocks to propel navy subs,... that sub was developed based on known standards and mathematical processes that do not change and have been proven, not assumed.

The decay of the uranium and the resulting energy it releases in the core is one of those "known standards". The article is arguing that there is no rational basis to assume that is constant, which means it's challenging the validity of that standard.