The one danger that was ignored was in launching it. It is powered by nuclear fuel and if had exploded like so many others we would have had an atomic disaster around it. And why destroy it? I guess they will take deeper atmospheric readings as it goes till it burns up.
My understanding is that they used plutonium-238 which decays to Uranium-234. Both are Alpha particle emitters, which is basically helium-4. A sheet of paper suffices to protect you from that.
Radioactive decay emits Alpha and / or Beta particles and / or Gamma rays. Alpha is the least dangerous, Beta more so, Gamma is the most dangerous.
Would I want a heaping bowl of plutonium-238 for breakfast? No, too crunchy. Are we being fed Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt about the danger? Oh, yeah.
Of course, everyone probably has a dangerous source of Gamma radiation in their homes. Your fire detector’s americium 241. But again, as long as you don’t eat it, you should be fine.
The danger of launching a RTG was not ignored. Don’t forget they have been launched many times and there have been 3 failures. Read this Wired article: https://www.wired.com/2013/09/nuclear-space-missions/
Night-Gaunt49[Bozo is Boffo] about 7 years ago
The one danger that was ignored was in launching it. It is powered by nuclear fuel and if had exploded like so many others we would have had an atomic disaster around it. And why destroy it? I guess they will take deeper atmospheric readings as it goes till it burns up.
Gent about 7 years ago
Careful, Cassini. Ancient astronaut theorists suggest that the aliens are quite Titanic there…
Ida No about 7 years ago
Yay! Science! It’s what NASA does. For the moment…
Silly Season about 7 years ago
My understanding is that they used plutonium-238 which decays to Uranium-234. Both are Alpha particle emitters, which is basically helium-4. A sheet of paper suffices to protect you from that.
Radioactive decay emits Alpha and / or Beta particles and / or Gamma rays. Alpha is the least dangerous, Beta more so, Gamma is the most dangerous.
Would I want a heaping bowl of plutonium-238 for breakfast? No, too crunchy. Are we being fed Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt about the danger? Oh, yeah.
Of course, everyone probably has a dangerous source of Gamma radiation in their homes. Your fire detector’s americium 241. But again, as long as you don’t eat it, you should be fine.
MeGoNow Premium Member about 7 years ago
Winky’s comment just made me care a lot less about his spleen next time.
RighteeTightee about 7 years ago
The danger of launching a RTG was not ignored. Don’t forget they have been launched many times and there have been 3 failures. Read this Wired article: https://www.wired.com/2013/09/nuclear-space-missions/