Remembering 44 Years Ago

Today if the first anniversary of the first moon landing without Neil Armstrong.  The space program in the 60's was an exciting time in US history.  The golden age of  exploration.  Below is what's down the road.



Admiral Eugene P. Wilkinson, First Nautilus Commender, R.I.P

Another nuclear pioneer passed away recently.  Admiral Wilkinson was picked by Admiral Rickover to be the first commander of the U.S.S Nautilus, the first nuclear powered submarine.  Wilkinson was trained in Oak Ridge, Tennessee and ran the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO) in Atlanta in the early 1980s.

Goddard Space Flight Center Visit

Today I visited the Goddard Space Flight Center Visitor's Center.  They have a unique theater with a globe for a screen plus a few interactive exhibits.  I sat through several of the features in the theater, which ran for a total of 3 hours.  Many of these were about climate and energy and the relationship between the two.

 

Much about alternative energy as presented and also the demand for energy in our modern world and the consequences of using carbon based fuels. They kept presenting energy alternatives that ONLY involved solar, wind, switch grass, and smart meters technology.

 

I was dumbfounded that not even a hint was given about the existence, much less the future use of nuclear power.  How can you even begin to have a full and open discussion about energy and climate without even mentioning the 20% contribution of nuclear?  No discussion of how new and innovative nuclear power options could be found with research of new fuels and reactor designs.  In my opinion, the federal government made a big mistake 40 years ago in opting for focusing on reactors that make plutonium for weapons and killing projects with made nuclear power with less implications for proliferation of weapons and reactors with less risk for accidents.

 

The general public was not served well in what I consider to be this 'propaganda of omission'.  As a tax payer and a nuclear dweeb, I was (am) disturbed and voiced my concerns (politely) with a couple of staff members.  As a republic, we will soon, if not already, be a nation that lacks the information to make rational decisions on how we will be good stewards of the planet and to further improve and sustain a high the quality of life and health for all citizens.  With an abundance of affordable and abundant energy, almost anything is possible within the laws of physics.  Some straight talk, understanding, and credible leadership is much needed. NASA is not doing a very good job informing the public.

 

Just my 2 cents worth.