Orbiting nuclear reactor

[MartG]

An interesting article about the first experimental nuclear reactor in orbit, launched 50 years ago

http://www.drewexmachina.com/2015/04/03/50-years-a...

This could be a prime driver to develop a new spacecraft capable of returning sizeable payloads safely to Earth ( it's orbit is too high for the Shuttle to have retrieved it ). It would probably require a manned mission, as it would be necessary to detach the reactor payload from the spent upper stage of the launch vehicle.

[MartG]

Simpo Two said:

Why do we want it back?

It's normally the getting it up there that's hard; Newton does the down bit quite well.

If we go and retrieve it, we can control it's descent instead of leaving it to chance when and where it will come down. Also preferable to grab it while it's mostly still in one piece rather than broken up into little radioactive bits all over the sky

[MartG]

davepoth said:

MartG said:

If we go and retrieve it, we can control it's descent instead of leaving it to chance when and where it will come down. Also preferable to grab it while it's mostly still in one piece rather than broken up into little radioactive bits all over the sky

It would be better to send a little robotic satellite up to it to push it out into a much higher orbit, if it's going to be a problem. That is what happens with a lot of satellites these days - they keep a bit of fuel left over to park it when they're finished with it.

the current orbit won't decay for 4000 years - but even in a higher orbit it could still be hit by debris and disintegrate - and do we really want to leave nuclear reactors floating around and expect our descendants to sort them out ?

[MartG]

Eric Mc said:

Very, very difficult thing to do - sending something towards the sun.

Yes - much easier to go up, safely retrieve the 'hot' bits and deorbit the rest to burn up