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From: Mike.Pompura@f49.n363.z1.FIDONET.ORG (Mike Pompura)
Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle
Subject: Re: Space Station Strangles NASP
Message-ID: <537.252A3A39@mamab.FIDONET.ORG>
Date: 4 Oct 89 11:59:00 GMT
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Organization: FidoNet node 1:363/49 - NASA Aerospace Inf, Orlando FL
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I left a good baker's dozen of messages on this Galileo-Pu-238 subject 
over in the space echo, and won't duplicate them here.  What I 
mentioned in brief was that I agree with you.  
 
The plutonium risk is over-stated by the yo-yo's in DARTH VADER masks 
at the cyclone fences of KSC.  <not to mention the females without bras 
and marine-style haircuts & people dressed in "religious" garb>.
 
The RTG units are designed, and better yet, tested to simulate most 
launch pad and abort scenarios, and is designed to SURVIVE these 
incidents without releasing its fuel source.  
 
The fuel source - most importantly - in not plutonium metal, but 
plutoniun oxide....a CERAMIC, which can heat up red hot and survive the 
temp or re-entry.  The container that holds this ceramic fuel is 
GRAPHITE...the same stuff put on the forward leading edges of the 
shuttle...it too can survive heat.  The container has been tested for 
submersion in water, and impact against SOLID ROCK.  
 
I can go on and on... if you're interested, pick up the thread in the 
space echo.

--  
Fidonet:  Mike Pompura via 1:363/9
Internet: Mike.Pompura@f49.n363.z1.FIDONET.ORG
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