I mean really, people are all up in arms about it. Let's just blow it off into space. Along with everybody that I think is stupid. And Big Bird. Snuffy can stay.
2007-01-15 00:01:43 · 7 answers · asked by Jeffery K 3 in Environment
I agree about big bird, and the stupid people. I see you have a soft spot in your heart for snuffalupagus (sp.?). though.
Unfortunately there are two major problems with shooting nuclear waste into space:
1) If the rocket you put it into explodes during liftoff (or while in flight) you just sent radioactive waste flying all over the place.
2) The cost of putting anything into orbit (much less getting something to go far enough away to break free of the earths gravitational pull) is ridiculous.
Despite those two problems--it is a great idea.
2007-01-15 00:34:48 · answer #1 · answered by superfunkmasta 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because nuclear waste is of course very volatile and just transporting it into space is a huge challenge. It is amazingly expensive and would be very difficult to build viable containers that can first house the waste and then withstand the enormous pressures the waste would be subject to as it leaves the earth's atmosphere. And then what happens if there is an accident/as unfortunately history shows there sometimes are? Nuclear waste would then be spilled indiscriminately around various parts of the world. It is not viable commercially, because of the huge costs involved, and the enormous potential risks. It just isn't worth it. Plus, it is not a responsible idea, because once it is in orbit or some such, is it just to keep orbiting around our Earth, or do you propose dropping it on another planet for other potential life to deal with? We created this waste and should be able to deal with it here on Earth. That is the responsible thing to do. Very interesting question though.
2007-01-15 00:08:37 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think there were some ideas about this.
Shooting nuclear waste into the sun (so there would be no risk in it ever returning to earth).
But there are some problems with this plan:
a) It costs a lot of money.
b) It's a risk. Imagine a rocket filled with radioactive material exploding in the atmosphere.
c) The radiation might disturb the very sensitive equipment in rockets (not sure about this one) + containing it better would require a lot of extra weight.
d) It costs a lot of money.
2007-01-15 00:10:31 · answer #3 · answered by anton3s 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Every thing man does regarding pollution has a way of coming back and biting him on the bum!
Shooting it at the sun could cause problems as well if it exploded where would the dust drift? right back into our faces. Putting it into space generally wouldn't be the answer either as most things go into an orbit and at some time in the future could return our way and come back to earth.
2007-01-15 00:15:25 · answer #4 · answered by Shelty K 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What about a launch accident? The idea of nuclear waste or stupid people being spread all over the place is one of the main safety concerns.
2007-01-15 00:11:01 · answer #5 · answered by J D 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Have you considered the expense involed in shooting a few barrels of nuclear waste into space? The cost is so high that money conscious Man will never consider to undertake.
2007-01-15 00:08:14 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The environmentalists won't let us.
The pitch a fit when they find out we have put up or are in the process of putting up a satellite with a small reactor in it.
I'm all for it.
Shoot it into the sun.
Poof, gone.
tc
2007-01-15 00:07:06 · answer #7 · answered by timc_fla 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋