Received: from moon.web2000.net

> > PLUTONIUM LAUNCH INTO SPACE IN OCTOBER

> >

> > On October 6, 1997 the U.S. government's space agency called NASA will

> > launch 72.3 pounds of plutonium into space. The plutonium will be

on-board an interplanetary mission to Saturn called Cassini. The plutonium will be used to provide power for the instruments on the space craft.

> >

> > In the event of a launch pad accident, or during a 1999 return to earth

> > swing-by that will whip Cassini around our planet in order to gain

speed to go to Saturn, the plutonium could be released into our atmosphere.

> >

> > In NASA's Environmental Impact Statement for Cassini they say, "if an

> > inadvertent reentry occurred, approximately 5 billion of the estimated

7 to 8 billion world population at the time of the swingbys could receive

99% or more of the radiation exposure."

> >

> > Instead of plutonium, NASA could use solar power on this mission. But

> the nuclear power industry and the pentagon are promoting the use of

nuclear power in space as they prepare to move weapons into space. NASA also

> > intends to widen its use of nuclear power in space, including the

> > establishment of nuclear powered mining colonies on the moon and mars.

> As more and more nuclear power is launched into space, an accident is sure

> to happen.

> >

> > Just last November, 1996 the Russian Mars space probe carrying one-half

> > pound of plutonium fell back to earth, burning up on reentry and landed

> in the mountains of Chile and Bolivia. Eye-witnesses saw the flaming

craft over the mountains and authorities there believe that the plutonium was

> > released into the winds.

> >

> > The Florida Coalition for Peace & Justice has undertaken an

international campaign to cancel the Cassini plutonium launch. We need your help!

> >

> > Things to do:

> >

> > * Check our Cancel Cassini web site at http://www.afn.org/~fcpj/

> >

> > * Send messages to President Bill Clinton, The White House, Washington

> DC, USA since he has the final launch authority

> >

> > * Put articles in peace/environmental publications concerning Cassini

> and "Nukes in Space"

> >

> > * Contact the Florida Coalition for Peace & Justice, Coordinator Bruce

> > Gagnon for more information

> >

> > Thank you for your help. Let's make space for peace!

> >

> > Bruce Gagnon

> > FCPJ

> > PO Box 90035

> > Gainesville, Fl. 32607

> > Phone: (352) 468-3295

> > E-mail: fcpj@afn.org