Concerns & Misconceptions (Score 1)

I actually worked on this project as a summer researcher with the Center for Space Nuclear Research.

Just to put it out there the USA and Russia have already launched nuclear reactors into space. NASA launched the SNAP-10A (System for Nuclear Auxiliary Power) in 1965 and it's now dormant due to a permanent shutdown mechanism.

Potential misunderstandings:

1) Radiation from these reactors are NOT going to measurable increase the amount of dose we receive. The distance to the moon is approx 30X the earths diameter and the radiation decreases with distance by 1/R^2. Distance alone reduces the radiation exposure by a factor of 1.59E18. The atmosphere itself provides a shielding effect and reduces the cosmic radiation we get every day. Plainly you receive more of a radiation dose from your TV.

2) The way these reactors are designed inherently safe. The reactors will shut themselves down naturally after the temperature increases beyond the design conditions.

3) Yes some random space matter can strike and destroy a nuclear reactor. If this would happen the reactor would scattered about shutting the reactor down. Also these reactors are not designed so that if they fell back to earth in the worst way possible they couldn't not go critical.