Can we launch radioactive waste into the nearest black hole?

Question

My son and I were talking about energy solutions. He brought up the subject of disposal into space. We allowed the exclusion of the cost variable.

He suggested that we need to get the material on a one way ticket so that it doesn't get hung up in any orbits and using the nuclear waste as it's own fuel source for the one way ride.

I was thinking that a black hole destination would solve space junk and nuclear pollution issues.

Aside from cost, is this a viable nuclear waste disposal solution?

Answer 1

In theory, it would be a great way to get rid of all kinds of trash and wastes.

Practically, however, it is a non-starter. With our current capabilities, it would take millions of years for wastes that we launched today to reach the nearest black hole -- and since we're not entirely sure precisely where they are now, how would we know just where they'd be in a few million years. Besides, in a million years, I'm sure we'll have figured out faster ways to deal with all of these problems.

For right now, I'd agree that launching the stuff into the sun is the way to go. Far more practical, and just as effective.

Just MHO.

Answer 2

I think the nearest black hole is a little too far away and sending a rocket there would be very difficult.
It would take thousands of years.

There has however been ideas to send nuclear waste to the sun. This would probably be a harmless way of disposing of it.
The only reason no attempts have been made to do this is safety.
Imagine a rocket filled with nuclear waste would explode or crash after launch. This would create a major disaster.

Answer 3

Aside form the fact that the nearest black hole is way too far away for us to reach, launching radioactive waste into space is EXTREMELY dangerous. What happens if there is a Discovery like accident on launch and you dump all that waste all over the place?

Answer 4

it is ideal but much expensive.we could do that but we have to wait to discover a way to transform radioactive waste in propulsion with very high ratio enough to get there.On different level does not mean that pollution,?maybe balk hole is a way to dispose to another universe our waste?P.S.maibe we need to think again our way to live..........!!??

Answer 5

No probably not, because if there were some sort of nuclear reaction, (we wouldn't be alive to find out though, its thousands of light years away!) , who knows, the whole galaxy could blow up.

Answer 6

Weight to thrush ratio makes it out of the question.(too heavy)

Answer 7

I would.