isn't it a good idea to dump all the waste of earth in space ?

Question

it may also be the best option to dispose off nuclear waste safely .what are your views guys ????

Answer 1

This is an idea that has been played with by scientists and ecologists for years as a long term solution to the garbage crisis we have in developed and undeveloped nations, and the lack of desire, particularly in developed nations, not to house the waste they develop in their own back yards (NIMBY).

Clearly at this time, this idea is not feasible due to the amount of waste produced and the cost of propelling this waste outside of the earth's gravitational field...muchos denairos (sp?). However, we all know how quickly technology can develop where there is a will and the dollars to support it.

The next consideration of propelling this garbage into space is its impact...and inspite of best intentions, indeed there will be! Some considerations include:
1. How safe is it for us to have nuclear and other toxic wastes floating through space on the long term, is there the risk of collision with other objects? how can this impact other orbits?
2. There is a great deal of "life" on the microscopic scale in garbage? How far will the garbage be propelled? Is there risk of mutant variation on Earth? Is there risk of the colonization of new worlds or the spread of a global pandemic to another world where these microbes/spore germinate and cause disease?
3. Would another lifeform/planet consider our garbage in space an act of agression?
4. If we were to take the sensible route and propel the garbage into the sun...would the waste simply be consumed or would there be an impact on the longevity of the sun and it gradual development?

There are many unknowns with such a suggestion...but this has never stopped humans from moving forward with their brilliant/foolhardy schemes and we pay the price for it on our daily basis with extinctions, global warming, the storage of nuclear wastes, etc.

So is it a good idea? Maybe...time will tell, I'm sure of it :)

Answer 2

While the concept seems reasonable, in application the disposal of waste in space is not even remotely cost effective. The amount of energy require to lift anything out of Earth's gravity well is astromomical (no pun intended), and as a result very expensive. If you throw nuclear waste into the mix and then you have an ecological nightmare should the rocket or space plane or whatever has an accident and spreads nuclear material all over the planet... sorry but no dice

Answer 3

It is a great idea as long as the rockets dont blow up and we can keep it on a trajectory where it will be shot into deep space.

If the rockets blow up (especially with nuclear material) we would likely have a bigger problem with waste than we had to begin with. The better option is that people change their attitudes towards consumerism, and by that we should go back to things that are meant to be used for a long time. fashions shouldnt change every thirty seconds, and we should be willing to use things like electronics longer after new stuff comes out. Unfortunately, all of that is not practical and prohibits progress, so dealing with current and potential pollution issues is going to be a slow and ardous process.

Answer 4

sure its a gret idea but think of how expensive this would be

its easier for many countries to dump thier nuclear wastes in poor third world countries like mine

am an egyptian by the way

Answer 5

Junk in orbit is already colliding with satellites & causing expensive damage, not to mention, orbits decay & when the nuclear junk drops back onto earth, it would still be radioactive ( it has a longggg 1/2 life) and kill many people.

Answer 6

geez

how do you get it in space? with what power? have you seen the size of the rockets needed to get small satellites up there? Now instead of satellites, think millions of tons of garbage.

the rockets would create thousand times more waste, than the waste you're trying to get rid of.

so, bad idea, won't work, find something else (sorry)

Answer 7

That will cost a lot of money. (In my opinion)
That's because you'll probably need some high tech device to transport the waste out of Earth.

Answer 8

Yes it is an excellent idea but would Bush and his administration agree to go?

Answer 9

what goes up may come down and what goes round, comes round. so i say no. there must be a better way.
God bless,
gabe