Thursday, December 14, 2006

NASA Seeks Comments on Proposed Nuke Rover on Mars

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has issued a Draft Environmental Impact Statement(DEIS) for public comment on its proposed Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Mission to explore the surface of Mars using a mobile science laboratory (rover) to acquire detailed information on the habitability of Mars for life forms.

The DEIS addresses alternative and the potential environmentali impacts associated with preparations for and implementation of the proposed mission. NASA's proposed action, Alternative 1, would use a radioisotope power source consisting of plutonium (Pu-238) dioxide. Alternative 2 would use a solar array to provide power for the rover. The DEIS also discusses the No Action alternative.

No comments: