wonder what life would be like today if this concept had come to fruition

 

Probably "nuked" by the petroleum industry. Sorry for play on words.

 

Probably make the "Osamas" of the world even more worrisome! On the other hand it is a thought provoking vehicular concept.

 

 

Howdy,

I remember taking a physics course a few years ago and having a discussion about nuclear powered vehicles. It would be a great option except the accident potential, which was mentioned in this article.

There have been many interesting nuclear ideas in the past. I am a geologist and as part of our science we are very interested in knowing more about the deep part of the earth. We have made little progress in really figuring out what is happening down there. Sure, we think that we know but until we actually get down there and bring up some rock we have no idea. Many years ago, a Russian scientist put forth a very interesting approach to seeing the deep part of the earth. Drilling to any great depth is impossible, the deepest well bore is around 12 km. This Russian wanted to take a small nuclear reactor and have it "meltdown" into the earth. The beauty of this was that it could penetrate very deep and it wouldn't require any sort of sophisticated drilling equipment. The meltdown and heat generated would also case or line the hole and prevent it from caving or collapsing in on itself. Once this was done we could see what was going on down there and have a better understanding.

It was an awesome idea although we all know that we can't set off nuclear reactors to melt becuase it would kill us. But atleast there are interesting and creative people out there trying to make new things happen.

 

This is an interesting article from Left Lane News. Probably the closest we'll come to a nuclear powered vehicle.
http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/09/...ies/#more-3958

 

As I drive around in The Cruck, trying to avoid accidents with drivers in all manner of distaction/state of mind, I honestly believe that as a society, we are almost not prepared for the limited energy sources we use today.
Who would`ve ever thought that selling beer/wine at a filling station (as they once were called) was a good combo? At the same time we want to tell you not to DRINK and drive...
Who thought that we should talk on the phone and drive...?
We`re pretty much our own worst enemy here in America, I don`t worry too much about outside attacks, when I don`t feel safe from the people traversing the good old USA.

 

Wow, never heard anyone put it together like that.

We see and do this every day, but who really thinks about the stupidity of it.
I commend you

 

Excellent points Black Beauty. I second what Snoopy said.

 

On a related note.....

JimZ... for a number of years, I had a sailboat docked in SD and about 10 years ago a world cruiser came into the marina with a small atomic engine.

He had serious engine trouble, with the original inboard, while he was somewhere in Europe. The rebuild was going to cost a small fortune. He discovered that some of the Soviet countries were selling small atomic powerplants (formerly used in very isolated locations to power water wells, small electricity needs, etc.) "dirt" cheap. He purchased and installed this surplus plant for less than half the cost of the engine rebuild. And, I believe he said that "fuel" would not be needed for 15 years....so he's probably getting close.

He had to install safety devices such as shielding, but he used it as ballast.

It, and he, were the talk of the docks. Several of the Sailing "rags" did small articles and I believe Sailing Magazine, did a major article.

Now that I think about it....I bet he has trouble getting into some ports of the world NOW.