Tag: Uranium-235

The Ghosts of Science Past: Part 1—Lise Meitner and the Discovery of Nuclear Fission

The Ghosts of Science Past: Part 1—Lise Meitner and the Discovery of Nuclear Fission

Published December 11, 2020 by savmiller

To close out this difficult year, this month’s blog series is going to look back at a few of the titans of scientific discovery from years past. This week, we return to the topic of nuclear fission with the story of Lise Meitner—an Austrian physicist who discovered the fundamental mechanism behind nuclear fission. Meitner’s story is pocked with the sexism and anti-Semitism that characterized Europe in the early 1900s. But despite the adversity she faced, Meitner made one of the most pivotal scientific discoveries of her time—one that would make nuclear power (and nuclear bombs) possible. Lise Meitner was born…

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How Do We Power Space Imperialism?: Part 3—The Kilopower Revolution

How Do We Power Space Imperialism?: Part 3—The Kilopower Revolution

Published November 27, 2020 by savmiller

In the decades following the first spacefaring rockets, solar power and radioisotope thermoelectric generators have been responsible for providing power to probes, spacecraft, rovers, and more. In the process, these technologies have been fine-tuned and perfected to make them sturdier, more efficient, and more compact. While these advancements may not necessarily bring about a glorious future of space imperialism, they may contribute to a brighter, cleaner future here on Earth. Since the 70s, NASA has driven innovation in solar panel technology, including designing self-cleaning panels that can keep off dust and dirt. As greenhouse gases build up in our atmosphere…

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