Nuclear Energy for Space Travel

One of the Future ATP campers asked, "What’s the difference between nuclear power on a submarine and nuclear energy that Cassini uses?" In reality they are very different sources of power. The nuclear power on a submarine comes from a controlled fission reaction which allows you to control the power available and in essence the rate of fuel usage. Additionally a submarine generates MW's of power to propel and power the onboard systems. Cassini uses radioisotope thermal generators (RTGs) of 630 W. This means that the power is generated from the decay of a radioisotope. The material undergoes radioactive decay and generates heat which is then used to generate electricity. There are a number of good references available on both systems and the strengths of both to fulfill different missions.

Submarine Experience

Another Future Astronaut Training Camp student from the cosmospher asked, "How did your time on a submarine prepare you for space travel?" I usually joke about being in a metal tube, miles from anywhere, enveloped in a hostile (unsurvivable) environment, with limited communication, and people you have to trust with your life. The only differences being the food on a submarine is better and the view in space is better. I have spent years in a highly technical environment where the decisions made on a regular basis affect the lives of all those onboard. The crews are highly trained and highly capable people who have dedicated there lives (and risked them) to the enterprise at hand. Additionally they must trust that the rest of the crew is as well trained and capable as they are. Then I got to NASA and found out that it is basically the same thing.

Training Difficulties

One of our Cosmosphere campers asked what the most rigorous part of my training has been? The answer is that all of it is rigorous in that you must be precise. The consequences on ascent or entry, during robotics operations, or during an EVA can be dire so the expectation in training is that they must be done right. The resources and time available to accomplish the task are limited, so in addition to being precise, you must be efficient. Because of this the rigor isn't defined necessarily by absolute "right ways" but by repetitive accomplishment of the task within bounds where you can gain insight and efficiency so that the end result is the successful timely completion of the mission.