The definition of ‘going nuclear’ or ‘the nuclear option’ are both to act drastically, often in a negative way. Generally, what comes to mind when the word ‘nuclear’ is mentioned is nukes, or nuclear weapons. The two times that nuclear weapons have been used in warfare, the bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima, have been so devastating that fear of nuclear technology still remains apparent to this day. Nuclear technology in other fields has not been immune to failure too, the aftermath of the devastation in the Chernobyl disaster and the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster is still present today. The accidents that occured in these power plants were cataclysmic and caused mass public fear. In a 2019 poll by Gallup, only 49% of Americans approved of the use of nuclear energy. Since its conception, public opinion on nuclear energy has been waning, and showing little signs of improvement. This is, of course, due to the negative connotation that clings to even the mention of the word, ‘nuclear’.
However, as times are changing, the need for cleaner efficient energy is increasing, exponentially. Electricity demands are ever rising, and the U.S Military, in conjunction with the Department of Energy is eyeing up nuclear energy as a potential solution to growing energy problems. The United States AirForce has chosen the Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska as a host for a small nuclear reactor as an experimental pilot program. To the disappointment of those 49% of Americans in support of nuclear energy, this is not a big, full-on nuclear reactor. It is a miniaturized design, which is becoming increasingly attractive as a solution to the energy crisis.
While it remains unclear what the exact specifications of this micro-reactor are, the potential of them is seemingly endless.