It would probably be the greenest source of energy imaginable, and with no detrimental effect to the Sun.
It strikes me as being a massive shame that the technology does not really exist that guarantees safe passage from terrestrial Earth into the gravitational urge of the Sun.
Is there any future technology that could do this? 'Space-lifts' perhaps?
2007-11-07 01:12:57 · 13 answers · asked by Golgi Apparatus 6 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
it is a scary thought, but not as scary as global warming, I would argue.
And yes, shuttles are far too dangerous. Plus, the nuclear treaty would never allow it. My question is - what kind of technology could make it safe?
2007-11-07 01:53:25 · update #1
No, and for many reasons.
The main reason is that rockets are not reliable enough and some of them would crash back on Earth, so it is politically impossible to send nuclear waste into space.
The other main reason is that it would be too expensive. Unless we find ways to send stuff to space MUCH more cheaply.
A final reason is that even if we wanted to send the waste off planet, the Sun would be the last place we would send it. Strange as it may sound, it takes more rocket power to send something to the Sun that it would to send it to Jupiter! So if you did want it off Earth, the easiest place to send it would be the Moon. If you think the Sun is better because it would be "burned up" then you don't really understand how nuclear reactions work. It would not "burn up" or be destroyed in the Sun, it would just become part of the matter in the Sun and sit there. So why not let it sit on the Moon, which is a dead world already bathed in radiation anyway, and it takes much less rocket power to get there.
2007-11-07 04:15:22 · answer #1 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Having study your added information, maybe some info would help. we are able to anticipate that the technologies to do as you recommend exists. Of each and all of the undertaking interior the image voltaic gadget, the sunlight contains approximately ninety 9.8%. the relax 0.2% contains the planet Jupiter (extra or less 0.5) and the rest contains each and everything else. If each and every ounce of poisonous waste, spent nuclear gas rods and so on replaced into dumped into the sunlight, it may be like a single raindrop falling on the Pacific Ocean. in case you need to sell off each and everything else interior the image voltaic gadget into the sunlight, it does not even hiccup.
2016-10-15 08:35:53 · answer #2 · answered by thorton 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Using rockets to get rid of radioactive waste is a bad idea. Consider the success rate of the shuttle. If a space elevator becomes practical, it would most likely be safe to lift the waste up to the "terminal" and use relativley cheap rockets to send it to the sun from there.
2007-11-07 01:37:12 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is a good question. The real reason is not the safety issue because the technology is there.
According to a friend that works for a major Aerospace company, the real reason for keeping waist products on the planet is the cost to send the materials to outer space.
2007-11-07 03:27:05 · answer #4 · answered by Marcus W 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You couldn't do it with conventional rockets; even with the high success rate, one accident could be disasterous. Probably the safest bet would be to build a space elevator, cart up the waste that way.... The problem is, nuclear waste is extremely heavy, and lofting it up & out of orbit is going to be a huge task, especially considering how much there is.
2007-11-07 03:45:58 · answer #5 · answered by quantumclaustrophobe 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For now, it is too expensive (takes a lot of energy to 'remove' the sideways component of the cargo's velocity -- 30 km/s -- in fact, it would take less energy to send it outside the solar system).
Also very dangerous (even if only one rocket in 100 blows up on departure...).
2007-11-07 01:20:24 · answer #6 · answered by Raymond 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
What for? So the nuclear industry can waste more money, more Uranium and an accident can nicely disperse nuclear waste over the face of the Earth?
Sounds like a great idea. Not.
2007-11-07 03:10:41 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Both safer and cheaper to dump it into deep ocean trenches in tectonic subduction zones. After millions of years, subduction would bring it to the surface again, but it would be completely depleted by that time.
2007-11-07 04:01:04 · answer #8 · answered by Keith P 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
great question buddy.it would also be great if we could transport non-bio-degradable waste like plastic from the earth to the sun.that way we can get rid of it and the earth will be a much better place.I'm impressed with your wonderful idea lets hope technology soon develops to that level.
2007-11-07 03:04:11 · answer #9 · answered by mastermind 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
scary thought
2007-11-07 01:35:21 · answer #10 · answered by GATORBOYZ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋