Remus Shepherd <remus@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> James Nicoll <jdnicoll@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>> What treaties apply to the use of nuclear propulsion in space?
>
> The Partial Test Ban Treaty (PTBT). It not only bans nuclear
propulsion,
> but any nuclear explosions in the atmosphere or outer space. Although
> reading about it now, it looks like it only bans *tests*.
Theoretically, if
> you knew your Orion spacecraft worked you could let it rip
operationally.
>
> The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) bans all nuclear
> explosions for any reason, anywhere. But it hasn't been ratified yet.
In that case it logically follows that, in order to be legal, you merely
need to test your Orion spacecraft underground. Certainly not the most
convenient way, but it's just engineering.
Is it against the PTBT to conduct nuclear tests in the atmospheres of
*other* planets?
--
Michael Ash
Rogue Amoeba Software
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