On Wednesday, May 18, 2022 at 4:05:06 PM UTC-6, Chris L Peterson wrote:
> Nope. It's a readily solvable problem, with many possible solutions.
> Not too far at all. It's just whacko Rich passive-aggressively
> fetishizing over nuclear powered spacecraft.
I don't disagree with that part of it; but that doesn't mean that the article
about Sa'udi Arabia didn't show that some effort is required for a solution.
I'm well aware that Rich takes every opportunity to criticize the failings
or limitations of solar panels, because he seems to think that nuclear
power should be used nearly all the time. And, this time, a mission was
cut short because dust did block the solar panels sooner than expected,
despite an ingenious use of the sample collection arm to dislodge some
of it.
Myself, while I am inclined to agree that there is perhaps an excessive
prejudice against nuclear power, I would still expect it only to be used
when necessary, to keep the safety issue low.
John Savard