Finally – nuclear propulsion a priority

Analysts at NASA have finally woken up to the fact that current generation space propulsion systems are just plain unsuitable for missions beyond Earth’s immediate location in our solar system. Consequently, NASA is making Nuclear Propulsion systems

Analysts at NASA have finally woken up to the fact that current generation space propulsion systems are just plain unsuitable for missions beyond Earth's immediate location in our solar system. Consequently, NASA is making Nuclear Propulsion systems its number 1 priority, superseding all other concerns – including missions to other planets.

NASA administrator Sean O'Keefe summed up the organisation's decision to change its future research direction so sharply with the following: 'The 18,000 mile-per-hour speeds have not changed since John Glenn's Friendship 7 mission. This is not good enough for space exploration.'

According to an EEtimes report, O'Keefe acknowledges that safety is a concern when working with nuclear propulsions systems. However, this does not override the fact that NASA must develop faster, more efficient propulsion systems if it wants to explore past our solar system.

Naturally there are safety concerns that go with sending plutonium and uranium based systems into orbit around Earth on the back of a few hundred thousand litres of highly volatile rocket fuel. Environmentalists, 'hippies' and 'greenies' protest the use of nuclear materials in space every time the issue is bought up. Never mind that nuclear propulsion systems may be the safest and most efficient method of achieving a given aim – the mere fact that nuclear materials are involved is enough to set off the lobby groups, who in turn spread Fear Uncertainty and Doubt among the public.

Of course, environmentalist groups are not the only ones responsible for the spreading of FUD in order to further private agendas - corporations and governments have been doing the same since time immemorial.

Regardless of the amount of protesting NASAs decision will bring (and we guarantee you the environmentalist groups will be up in arms spouting 'you're destroying the earth' and other such FUD statements), it's nice to see some common sense finally creep into an issue that has potential long term implications for the very survival of our species.