Why nuclear waste is not shot into space
Summary
KG examines the seemingly simple disposal of radioactive waste by rocket and shows why mass, cost and failed launches devalue the concept. Disposal proposals often fail because risk is concentrated during transport. A technically possible solution can be considerably worse than a boring local one.
Ideas
- Only a small part of nuclear waste is long-lived, highly radioactive fuel.
- Rocket launches carry little mass and rarely fail, but not never.
- A launch accident could spread concentrated radioactive material uncontrollably in the atmosphere.
Recommendations
- Compare disposal routes by their entire process chain rather than only their end state.
- Assess rare accidents together with the extent of damage, the quantities transported and the number of repetitions.
References
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