/sci/ - Science & Math

>>3653389
>>3653392
Agreed.
So we must discuss SCIENCE!

Suitcase-sized nuclear reactor for space missions:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110828140926.htm

Could Thorium be adapted to this? How large could they scale it from a similar design to provide power to all of the colonists? Do you think the public would chuck a shit over such a small reactor?

Fourth generation looks pretty damn safe but I would like for all reactors be switched over to thorium because of the benefits over uranium, and its abundance in comparison the fissionable uranium.

>>2606730
Long live the university!

They both need a new abundant source of power. As for hydrogen, many of the problems outlined in OP's pic could be minimized/fixed by the use of home-based electrolyzers on a new design that is more energy efficient. Perhaps partially powered by photovoltaics?

>>2228815
Not a viable solution, however, I think that after the basic systems for obtaining water and so forth are set up back on mainland, we should try to reactivate several power stations and steal hard drives and copy all necessary information relating to everything from medicine to processor manufacturing so we do not lose the knowledge our "ancestors" passed down to us. A library.

>>2220193
You DO know that Alpha Centauri faction files are really easy to edit?