NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) program seeks innovations from diverse and non-traditional sources. NIAC projects study innovative, technically credible, advanced concepts that could one day “change the possible” in aerospace. Here is a NAIC program from 2024.
Rocket propulsion technology has progressed far beyond the first weaponized rockets of the Chinese and Mongolian empires. They were really nothing more than rocket-powered arrows and spears but they set the foundations for our exploration of space. Liquid propellant, ion engines and solar sails have all been featured in the media as we strive for more efficient methods of space travel.
The chief of the U.S. Space Force has reviewed how Washington may respond if Moscow shoot down Western commercial satellites.
Rolls-Royce in the U.K. has recently announced a new type of nuclear reactor that could power a future lunar colony. The mini reactor is about three feet wide and ten feet long. It is not yet able to produce any electricity. It will take about six years and a few million dollars to prepare it for its first space trip.
Blue Origin is an aerospace company founded by Jeff Bezos. It recently announced its new and upcoming Swiss army knife-style spacecraft platform called Blue Ring. There has been little public discussion by Blue Origin regarding this project. In January of 2023, a story broke when Blue Origin briefly announced a job posting for Blue Ring Senior Program Manager on its Careers page.
Thirty-one disused sealed radioactive sources (DSRSs) have been transported from Chile to a recycling facility in Europe as part of an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) multi-regional project to improve nuclear security and radiation safety.
Ambient office = 83 nanosieverts per hour
Ambient outside = 143 nanosieverts per hour
Soil exposed to rain water = 151 nanosieverts per hour
Part 2 of 2 Parts (Please read Part 1 first)
Globally, decommissioning costs for nuclear power plants range from one billion to one and a half billion dollars per one gigawatt plant. The cost of dismantling nuclear facilities associated with the fuel cycle, research reactors, and nuclear laboratories also needs consideration.
BRIN to pursue two nuclear projects in 2024 en.antaranews.com
Ambient office = 69 nanosieverts per hour
Ambient outside = 111 nanosieverts per hour
Soil exposed to rain water = 110 nanosieverts per hour
Part 1 of 2 Parts
Nuclear power plants generate electricity in some countries. Operational restrictions mandate that a nuclear power plant’s life is about thirty-five to forty-five years. At the end of their life cycle, nuclear power plants are decommissioned. Decommissioning is a very complex process that requires years, if not decades, of planning and execution.
Work begins to dismantle Garigliano reactor vessel world-nuclear-news.org
Ambient office = 55 nanosieverts per hour
Ambient outside = 106 nanosieverts per hour
Soil exposed to rain water = 107 nanosieverts per hour
Part 2 of 2 Parts (Please read Part 1 first)
Jacob DeWitte is the CEO of Oklo. He said, “There is a lot of value in staying small because it keeps the project in the scope of a manufacturing and installation project, and not a large infrastructure project.”
Ambient office = 58 nanosieverts per hour
Ambient outside = 100 nanosieverts per hour
Soil exposed to rain water = 104 nanosieverts per hour
Part 1 of 2 Parts
Ambient office = 67 nanosieverts per hour
Ambient outside = 86 nanosieverts per hour
Soil exposed to rain water = 87 nanosieverts per hour
