A NASA study on the 1995 plutonium-powered Casinni probe revealed that if an accident were to occur, the probe could break up and release plutonium into the atmosphere, and "5 billion of the estimated 7 to 8 billion world population could receive 99 percent, or more, radiation exposure". Despite this, NASA spends over $1 billion on nuclear-powered rockets and new plutonium-powered probes.
Madam, - In the wake of last Saturday's Columbia shuttle tragedy we should reassess what happens in the skies above our heads.
In the next year NASA is to deploy a new plutonium-powered probe in space. Had Saturday's Columbia accident occurred on such as mission, the death toll could have been significantly higher.
A NASA study on the 1995 plutonium-powered Casinni probe revealed that if an accident were to occur, the probe could break up and release plutonium into the atmosphere, and "5 billion of the estimated 7 to 8 billion world population could receive 99 percent, or more, radiation exposure". Despite this, NASA spends over $1 billion on nuclear-powered rockets and new plutonium-powered probes.
The European Space Agency has shown with its own deep space probes that solar power is a real and workable alternative.
While we mourn the loss of the seven crew members, let us be thankful the death toll is not worse. - Yours, etc.,
PATRICK COSTELLO,
Wellington Place,
Dublin 4.