The Nation - News from Sept. 11, 1989

The Energy Department wants to curtail development of a nuclear reactor to power weapons for a space-based missile shield or for manned bases on the moon, the New York Times reported. The paper quoted federal officials as saying that the department wants to stop spending on the reactor because of rising budget pressure and opposition from private groups and Congress. The Energy Department now provides most of the funding for the 4.2-ton reactor, known as the SP-100, which is meant to generate 100 kilowatts of electricity and to fit in the space shuttle. One Pentagon official told the newspaper the proposed cut would leave the reactor program “severely crippled.” But other officials who were not identified said the proposed cut could be a ploy to get other federal agencies to increase their financial support.