Message-Id: <v01540b01b04fc7b28679@[12.64.1.234]>
To: pinhole@exploratorium.edu
From: kstreet@worldnet.att.net (Karen Street)
Subject: Re: Cassini probe
Date: Thu, 25 Sep 1997 14:51:36 +0000
One of the characteristics of the anti-Cassini campaign is that essentially
no scientists are involved--you can tell by looking at the numbers bandied
about:
1) NASA estimates 5 to 7 billion people might die worse case, though the
world population is about 6 billion
2) 1 pound of plutonium can kill everyone on Earth, if distributed
correctly-- Actually 1 kg could kill thousands 15 to 25 years from now if
the pieces are exactly the right size to lodge in the lungs.
Solar energy works out to Mars; all probes sent beyond use nuclear energy.
Plutonium metal could splinter into pieces that could kill people if it
were metallic, but plutonium oxide is a rock that NASA would have to find
and pick up.
Good luck!
Karen Street