@article{
author = {Oleg F. Prilutsky, Stanislav N. Rodionov},
title = {The military connection and environmental hazards of space-based nuclear power},
journal = {Science & Global Security},
volume = {1},
number = {1-2},
pages = {83-92},
year = {1989},
URL = {https://scienceandglobalsecurity.org/archive/1989/01/the_military_connection_and_en.html},
eprint = {http://scienceandglobalsecurity.org/archive/sgs01prilutsky.pdf},
abstract = {The potential dangers associated with space-based nuclear power have alarmed many specialists. There are two principal reasons: a) Space-based nuclear energy sources have been declared to be a key part of the military Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) program. Even in the absence of current military interest in space nuclear reactors, the existence in space of a considerable number of civilian nuclear sources would always provide a temptation for ideas of space militarization. b) Nuclear reactors deployed in near-earth orbits are a potential source of radioactive fallout that would be dangerous for the population of the entire earth. Multi-kilogram plutonium-238 radioisotope thermal generators (RTGs) would also be a dangerous source of radioactive contamination on a global scale. Below, we consider these objections in more detail.}
}