Plutonium-238: production in Russia, photo, characteristics, application

Plutonium-238 is an extremely dangerous substance. It is used in the construction of space objects and the creation of nuclear bombs. In industry, it is obtained only in nuclear reactors. Prior to perestroika in the USSR, the United States was engaged in the production of an isotope on its territory.

Production of plutonium-238 for the USA

To produce plutonium-238, it was necessary to perform very laborious and dirty work. At 150 kg of finished plutonium, there were as many as 50 thousand containers with waste. The era of President Gorbachev distinguished himself by altruism. The perestroika elite decided that it would not be worthwhile to clog the lands of the American brothers. Since 1988, plutonium-238 has been produced only in Russia.

In 1992, a production association called "Mayak" signed an agreement to supply to America as many as five kilograms of a substance known as plutonium-238. Production in Russia is located in the far city of Ozersk, better known as Chelyabinsk-40. The profit from this contract was estimated at about $ 6 million. The quantities of produced plutonium could be enough to launch from 3 to 6 satellites with nuclear installations. Many researchers believe that virtually all such launches of America after the collapse of the Soviet Union occurred only on the isotope produced in Russia.

Collaboration or meanness?

In the early 20th century, there was a small, but still revealing scandal. The fact is that the United States used satellites with nuclear installations to spy on Russia. They were made on the Russian isotope. In spite of everything, production of plutonium-238 did not stop, and supplies to America continued. In addition, by 2003 a contract was concluded between the Russian company Techsnabexport and the American office to provide the dioxide with this isotope.

However, that plutonium-238, which was produced on the territory of Russia, did not satisfy the insatiable American appetite. After all, the US had to start developing a missile defense system in outer space. Therefore, they decided to restart production of the isotope in their own homes.

Causes of production of an isotope by America

The program for producing the isotope was calculated by the States for 30 years, during which it was planned to produce about 158 kg of this dangerous substance. Both Russian and foreign media have paid attention to the fact that this is the first time since the end of the Cold War with the United States. One way or another, this start of production is associated with the possible military programs of the States in outer space. Nor does the calmness of the fact that the beginning of the production of an isotope coincides in time with the start of the development of anti-missile defense adds no peace.

Different countries, different prices

It is interesting that under the terms of the contract with the Russian company Techsnabexport, the price of one kilogram of isotope is 1 million dollars. While America allocates a hundred times more funds for plutonium-238. Production in Russia all this time was at dumping prices - such is a disappointing conclusion. In the Russian society, different opinions were expressed about such "cooperation" with the United States. The Federal Atomic Energy Agency believes that these sales are somehow profitable and necessary for the economy. In addition, Russia can sell plutonium-238 to 32 countries around the world. What explains this demand and why this isotope is needed?

Plutonium-238: application

In fact, this isotope is a by-product of plutonium-239. And it, in turn, is the main component in the composition of nuclear weapons. In the era of the Cold War, which was the cause of the space race, from some side it was very convenient. For example, plutonium-239 was produced in South Carolina to create nuclear bombs. And its by-product was given for the production of space satellites and probes. After the manufacturer in South Carolina, called Savannah River, was closed, the States began to buy an isotope from Russia.

Plutonium-238 is the ideal fuel used for space research. Its radiation is radioactive. But, being in another material, the isotope is relatively safe. For example, plutonium-238 is often encased in iridium pellets. They glow red, and they emit a lot of heat. While the iridium granules remain intact, the isotope is safe. Granules are placed in special generators, which contribute to the conversion of heat into electricity. Due to this, space satellites are still exploring space expanses, because the process of generating electricity in this way can last for decades.

Modern stocks of plutonium-238

According to many data, on the Earth the reserves of this substance are rapidly decreasing. Recently in the American journal Nature, an article was published, according to which NASA now has only 35 kg of the isotope. And only half of all this quantity can be used as fuel. The planned flight to Mars will already take 5 kg of plutonium-238. Russia is also no longer selling this isotope at this time. Maybe we have it too.

Catastrophic risks when using an isotope

Not long ago, the US military was hit by a space satellite. They did this ostensibly in order to prevent his uncontrollable fall. The Pentagon said that a satellite weighing 5 tons crumbled into three thousand fragments over the Pacific Ocean. Each of the fragments in size was roughly comparable to a football. On board the spy satellite was about 500 kg of hydrazine - rocket fuel, which has a high toxicity. And also there was a certain amount of the isotope of plutonium-238 - the Pentagon did not disclose exact figures.

The threat to all of humanity

But in fact, one of the most dangerous threats to the whole earth is the isotope of plutonium-238. Its characteristics are such that only 450 grams of this substance can cause cancer in all mankind. The half - life of plutonium-238 is about 90 years. So these "footballs" for a long time will poison the planet and its inhabitants.

However, this is far from being the first nuclear strike from the cosmos. During the whole period of space exploration, 49 satellites with nuclear installations were launched. 36 of them are launched by Russia and the Soviet Union, 13 by the States. Now in orbit at an altitude of 800 to 1000 km there are 50 satellites with nuclear fragments. In order not to leave a nuclear death for the descendants of humanity as a "legacy", Dr. Huseyn Chechenov suggests replacing plutonium-238 with a less dangerous uranium-235.

The threat, fortunately, past Russia

In autumn of 2016, the fall of an American satellite called UARS was already expected, which, by lucky chance, flew by. It was assumed several dates of the fall of the object - first it was September 17, then - the 23rd. In the news for some reason it was not said that in fact it was not even a satellite, but a real nuclear bomb. Most likely, this was done not to spread panic among the population. After all, this satellite filled plutonium-238. The photo of the space object suggests that the size of UARS is comparable to the size of the trolleybus.

According to NASA, it was supposed to fall in the middle zone of Russia. If this really happened, within a few days about 300 thousand people in Moscow could die from pulmonary edema. But UARS for some reason delayed and fell to the ground only on September 24, crashing into the ocean waters near Canada. Plutonium-238 in it was about 30 kg. Canada is not the first time visiting a deadly space satellite. For the first time, the government managed to knock down the approaching object on approach to the continent, and it also fell into the ocean.