If i remember right i think one of the problems in the past was what happens if something goes wrong during launch time. if the rocket crashes instead of making it all the way into space there could be nuclear waste just about anywhere on the planet depending on where it crashes. I just hope this never happens. Maybe launch it into space in a conventional way, then kick start it (fire it up, start the reaction) once it is actually in deep space.

It's pretty interesting to see the effects of this type of reactor when it goes critical.
https://www1.grc.nasa.gov/historic-facilities/rockets-systems-area/7911-2/
IV. THE REACTOR ERUPTION
https://fas.org/sgp/othergov/doe/lanl/docs1/la-3449.pdf

 

If I understand the technology correctly, what we've been talking about is a type of nuclear ramjet. And that requires the presence of an atmosphere for it to work. Launching it into space wouldn't work.

Oh ok
I thought we were talking about space bound vehicles. What you are talking about would be a constant threat i think if something goes wrong.

 

Oh ok
I thought we were talking about space bound vehicles. What you are talking about would be a constant threat i think if something goes wrong.

And it would also be a constant threat if everything goes right too!

 

It's pretty interesting to see the effects of this type of reactor when it goes critical.
https://www1.grc.nasa.gov/historic-facilities/rockets-systems-area/7911-2/
IV. THE REACTOR ERUPTION
https://fas.org/sgp/othergov/doe/lanl/docs1/la-3449.pdf

That report essentially says that the explosion would be a rather slow one, although not without its dangers. But wouldn't that thing would basically behave like a flying dirty bomb (assuming it had no nuclear explosive payload) if it were to explode?

 

I believe we brought up the use of nuclear generator to support MPD magnetoplasmadynamic thrusters... we went off on a tangent somehow.

 

I believe we brought up the use of nuclear generator to support MPD magnetoplasmadynamic thrusters... we went off on a tangent somehow.

They are related (a few degrees of separation) as air-breathing design research helps with small megawatt-class reactor units for deep space travel.