Same reason the original TRIGA can’t go prompt critical - configuration. The fact that it’s configured as a reactor precludes it being a bomb. Like TRIGA it can be designed to be self regulating - ge… (View Post)

The contract to design the reactor was let in 1947 and the first reactor was delivered for testing in 1953. Mind you, DK Brown reckoned that the completely self sustaining air purification system for… (View Post)

a Nope. That’s the classic mistake from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blowups_Happen It’s a ceramic bucket full of molten uranium salts (probably) It physically can’t go bang. Just sits there being v… (View Post)

One “interesting” design is a molten core reactor. It deliberately melts down - and stays molten. It eventually reaches thermal equilibrium with the regolith it is buried in. Run pipes through that t… (View Post)

Because of the long lunar night (14 days) a reactor would be very useful for a long term base. Lots of probes die during the lunar night due to the -180c temperature. And of course, no sun for solar … (View Post)