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We have since deployed many nuclear reactors in space, with totally different reliability, so those should be used as reference. They can be packed on a rocket, launched, turned on and work for years unattended ( they powered societ radar satellites)

Cost is dominated by weight in space, and a large wind turbine needs hundreds to thousands of tons of concrete for foundations - are those going to be brought from Earth? Can you make concrete on Mars?




Pray that the rocket doesn't blow up spreading nuclear fuel all over the place. Here is a Soviet "success story" involving a nuclear reactor on a sat.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosmos_954

Concrete would need cement made with limestone and massive amounts of heat and water which is scrace on Mars.


Nuclear fuel that has never been "fired up" in a reactor is almost hamless - its just uranium. You could have it under your bed and you'd be fine, just don't eat it.

In this case the reactor would only be started once it arrives on mars.


I know, that's why I did not say radioactive waste.




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