HPM@S1-A@sri-unix (09/17/82)
From: Hans Moravec <HPM at S1-A> Foo. In fifty years the nuclear "waste" will be mined for isotopes available from no other source, and the only problem with it will be that there won't be enough for all the applications. Already elements like Americium, tritium and radioactive cobalt have irreplacable industrial and medical functions. To my mind the main problem with "waste" is storing it in such a form that we can get at it when we need it. (The plutonium, of course, will be removed much sooner than 50 years, and will provide power in the outer solar system, and propel Orion-type torchships). Solar power on the moon is not that great - its gone completely for two weeks out of every four, and is at shallow angles most of the rest of the time. Give me a nice, compact, warm, reliable reactor and I'll give you some happy robots.