[ExI] pentagon wants orbiting solar power stations

[Samantha Atkins]

On Oct 14, 2007, at 11:51 AM, hkhenson wrote:

> At 10:46 PM 10/13/2007, you wrote:
>
>> On Oct 13, 2007, at 3:56 PM, hkhenson wrote:
>>>
>>> Both fusion and fission generate neutrons.  There is a really big
>>> problem in that neutrons can be silently diverted into making Pu
>>> 239. The problem will only be recognized when a city is terror nuked
>>> without warning.
>>>
>>
>> I have heard it said that such usages to produce Pu 239 is not a
>> simple process and leaves telltales allowing detection.   As far as  
>> it
>> being possible I think this is very well recognized as it is used as
>> an argument against countries like Iran developing even supposedly
>> peaceful nuclear tecnology.  So I doubt very much we are blind to the
>> possibility or require a city being nuked to alert us.
>
> Google "Keith Henson" plutonium
>
>>> Also, the biggest use of oil is transport fuel, and that not easy to
>>> displace with fission.  It can be done, but the resultant fuel will
>>> be very expensive.  See my discussion on dollar gasoline here a
>>> while back.
>>>
>>
>> What kind of transport are we talking?  Some 60+% of oil used in the
>> US is used by cars and trucks.  How many of them could run just fine
>> off of electricity generated by nuclear power?
>
> Not very many of them.  But even if *half* could, it won't solve the
> carbon and energy problem.
>

Why can't all cars and light trucks be electric?  And why wouldn't a  
substantial decrease in oil burned help?

- s