About this episode
Karl Grossman raises serious concerns about NASA's upcoming Cassini mission to Saturn, focusing on the environmental and safety risks posed by the spacecraft's plutonium power source. His investigation reveals potential dangers if the spacecraft experiences launch failure or encounters problems during its Earth flyby maneuver, which could result in plutonium contamination affecting millions of people. Grossman examines NASA's risk assessments and safety protocols, questioning whether adequate precautions have been taken to protect public health. His research covers the political and economic pressures driving the use of nuclear power in space exploration, despite available alternatives like solar panels. The discussion explores how NASA's partnership with the Department of Energy has promoted nuclear space technology while downplaying environmental risks. Grossman presents evidence of past nuclear accidents in space programs and their environmental consequences, arguing that the Cassini mission represents an unacceptable risk to public safety. His journalism has exposed the secretive nature of nuclear space programs and the lack of public input in decisions affecting planetary safety. The conversation covers broader issues of government accountability and environmental responsibility in space exploration. Grossman's work demonstrates how space programs can pose earthly risks while pursuing scientific knowledge, raising important questions about acceptable levels of risk in exploration endeavors.