• Bye@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    1
    ·
    11 months ago

    Miniature nuclear reactors have the power density to run a nuclear-electric airplane. If we developed a thorium airplane reactor, we wouldn’t even have to worry about the terrorism implications.

    • GiveMemes@jlai.lu
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      1
      ·
      11 months ago

      In that case it would only take a couple of planes worth of stealing before you jad enough plutonium for at least a dirty bomb if not a nuclear weapon lol.

      Like wut? Thorium still needs plutonium to work and plutonium can be used for both cases just as uranium afaik.

    • shalafi@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      1
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      11 months ago

      Absolutely true, but the consequences of a crash are too dire to ever let this be a thing.

      Plus, the ROI on a nuclear plane would be a joke. How you gonna pay for it? Maybe break even after 500,000 flights? :)

      And then there’s the maintenance and professionals and on and on.

      • Bye@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        1
        ·
        11 months ago

        Yes the ROI would be abysmal. It would have to be operated at a loss, like lots of public transportation is.