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Surprising Science

N.A.S.A. & Russia Discuss Nuclear Spaceship

More than a wild dream, Russia, the U.S. and other nations are to discuss cooperation on building a nuclear-powered spacecraft, according to the Russian space agency Roscosmos.
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“Anatoly Perminov, Roscosmos chief, told the state-owned newswire RIA Novosti that nuclear spacecraft plans are to be discussed with N.A.S.A. on April 15. Perminov added that ‘countries with a high level of reactor manufacturing technology’ are to take part in the talks.” Countries listed with such technology are China, France, Germany and Japan. Certainly facing any public discussion of a nuclear powered anything, especially a technically challenging spacecraft, will include mention of Japan’s recent nuclear crisis. Still, experts mostly agree that if space travel is ever to be more than a fascinating hobby for our species, a revolution in power generation must occur.

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