(04-22-2019 04:39 PM)Almadenmike Wrote:  

(04-22-2019 04:23 PM)I45owl Wrote:  

(04-21-2019 05:19 PM)GoodOwl Wrote:  NASA Wants to Send a Low-Cost Mission to Explore Neptune’s Moon Triton

Quote:In the coming years, NASA has some bold plans to build on the success of the New Horizons mission. ... The idea calls for a spacecraft powered by a Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (MMRTG) battery that would fit under the Discovery Program‘s cost gap.

I need to get some of those batteries to replace the ones that keep running out around the house!

You realize those are typically fueled by plutonium, right? The cost of acquiring them is typically pretty high, and usually involves one or two decades of pretty sever sanctions.

... which means that they would cost you an arm and a leg ... but with the wounds artfully sutured.

:-)

Why, I'd give my left arm for one of those...Still can throw my curve with my right. yeah, I thought it was interesting they are trying to send some of these relatively low-cost ships out to places like Triton. I remember seeing the Voyager grand tour reveal so much when I was younger. Kids today just always have all these clear pictures and data available...it was a smaller solar system in many ways back then...Wonder what we'll have discovered in 100, 200 and 300 more years?