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Yes, we could launch nuclear waste into the Sun. The problem with the concept is simple economics. It presently costs US$20 million to US$30 million to launch even a small payload of 1200 pounds (544 kg). NASA indicates an average cost of US$450 million to launch a Space Shuttle craft, with a payload capacity of 50,000 pounds (22,700 kg). So with spacecraft we are talking about payloads of thousands of pounds, but with nuclear waste we are talking about millions of tons! If you consider only the highest level radioactive waste (HLW), the amount of HLW produced worldwide each year is approximately 53,000,000 pounds (24,000,000 kg); that's nearly 1100 Space Shuttle payloads each year, 3 Space Shuttles launched nearly every single day! In addition to high level waste there is low level waste, intermediate level waste, transuranic waste, along with huge amounts of contaminated soil and water. There is not only the waste that we are now producing, but we have an accumulation of nuclear waste from the past 60 years. It is unlikely that we could ever come up with enough fuel to launch all of our nuclear waste into space with the technology we now have. Future developments in applied physics might make it possible to do this with at least part of our most problematic wastes.
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Which countries have nuclear waste problems?
All countries that have nuclear reactors have nuclear waste and it is always a problem, though a manageable one.
What is the name of the Defunct nuclear waste storage site in Nevada?
It is the Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Repository.
What is concentrate and contain method?
its a method use in nuclear waste management where the waste is concentrated and then isolated. this method also use for non nuclear waste management.
What source of energy produces radioactive waste?
Nuclear Energy
Can our nuclear waste go in to your water?
no, its not safe to dispose nuclear waste in water,rather it would be safe to dispose it in common salt trenches.
Why isn't nuclear waste have its radiation used for solar power?
Because nuclear waste doesn't give off the same radiation as the sun.
How much does it cost to send nuclear waste to sun?
This process is impossible.
Why isn't nuclear waste sent to Sun?
Probably these two reasons: 1) The cost of sending rockets constantly to the sun loaded with nuclear waste would bankrupt the industry. 2) A "misfire" (rocket that crashes) would be an environmental disaster.
Is e waste worse than nuclear waste?
nuclear waste is worst
Is there nuclear waste in space?
Yes, there is nuclear waste in space.
What waste is produced from nuclear power stations?
nuclear waste
What are the causes of nuclear and toxic waste?
nuclear waste is a by product of nuclear power plants, or in the creation of nuclear weapons.
What does nuclear waste contain?
nuclear waste contains about 90 % of nuclear fuel but it is much harmful then nuclear itself.
What is the purpose for nuclear waste?
Nuclear waste is an unfortunate by-product of the process of nuclear fission for the purpose of energy production. The spent fuel rods are "safely" stored and sequestered, but will remain dangerous for thousands of years. As far as I know, there is no "purpose" for nuclear waste, other than to convince people that they do not want a power plant in their backyard. The theoretically possible process of nuclear fusion (which is how the sun works) would produce less radioactive material and waste.
What does France do with nuclear waste?
Because you can reuse 17% of nuclear waste and use it as if it was new.
Why don't they take all the nuclear waste products and put it in a rocket and shoot it toward the sun than it would burn up?
First off, taking all nuclear waste products and putting it in a rocket and shooting it toward the sun so then it would burn up could cause problems with out atmosphere. The way the nuclear waste products are handled now is what has been studied and found to be the best possible disposal of the waste products without causing further damage to the people, surrounding areas, and the atmosphere.
How is holding nuclear waste good for the coomunity?
The government and companies will pay states and cities money for using their land for storage of nuclear waste. Nuclear waste can be dangerous, but when stored safely it is no danger. Nuclear waste is produced by nuclear power plants, which produce large amounts of cheap electricity.
