-----Original Message----- From: Steven Aftergood [mailto:saftergood@igc.org] Sent: Monday, February 05, 2001 3:13 PM To: Williams, Charles, OASD/C3I [Charles.Williams@osd.mil] Subject: Space Technology Guide Feedback/Question Dear Mr. Williams: I noticed that the new Space Technology Guide does not include space nuclear power as a key technology for the future of national security space. Can you tell me why space nuclear is not included in the new Guide? Is it based on technical or mission considerations? Or political considerations? Or all of these? ___________________________ From: "Williams, Charles, OASD/C3I" [Charles.Williams@osd.mil] To: 'Steven Aftergood' [saftergood@igc.org] Cc: "Hansen, Susan, CIV, OASD/PA" [Susan.Hansen@osd.mil], "Snowdon, Jay, CAPT, OASD/C3I" [Jay.Snowdon@osd.mil] Subject: RE: Space Technology Guide Feedback/Question Date: Fri, 9 Feb 2001 10:39:28 -0500 Of course, a key issue is public safety. Both the national space policy and DoD space policy preclude the use nuclear power in earth orbit without the specific approval of the President. Any requests for approval must take into account public safety, economic considerations, treaty obligations, and U.S. national security and foreign policy interests. With the notable exception of space weather monitoring, national security space missions are based in earth orbit. In earth orbit, solar power is more that sufficient to maintain ample power supplies. With the advances in solar cell technologies, this is likely to continue to be the case. Typically, the only type of mission where space nuclear power would be needed is an interplanetary one such as NASA's Cassini mission to Saturn where the power requirements could not be met with solar and battery power alone. As we continue to develop alternative power sources, even nuclear power for these types of missions may become unnecessary. In the STG, the Congress asked for an investment strategy for space technology. Given the severely constrained funding available for space technology development, funds for nuclear power devices would not make the priority cut. Even if we could produce them economically, the mission costs would be unaffordable because of the measures necessary for safety. These scarce resources are needed to fund technologies that provide real, accountable leverage to meet future missions requirements. These economic and technical reasons obviate any need to pursue nuclear power options. Thanks for your question.