Cassini-Huygens is a Flagship-class NASA-ESA-ASI robotic spacecraft sent to the Saturn system. It has studied the planet and its many natural satellites since its arrival there in 2004, as well as observing Jupiter and the Heliosphere, and testing the theory of relativity. Launched in 1997 after nearly two decades of gestation, it includes a Saturn orbiter Cassini and an atmospheric probe/lander Huygens that landed in 2005 on the moon Titan. Cassini is the fourth space probe to visit Saturn and the first to enter orbit, and its mission is ongoing as of 2013.  It is powered by a plutonium power source, and has facilitated many landmark scientific discoveries in its mission to the stars.

ANS Nuclear Cafe is very proud to host this week's Carnival of Nuclear Energy.  This weekly feature showcases the best English-language pro-nuclear blogs and articles, and gives a snapshot of what the most experienced and outspoken nuclear advocates feel are the top issues of the times.  This week, as with all of the others, there's plenty of variety in the breadth of topical material.

The ANS Nuclear Cafe today brings faithful viewers a short interview with Dr. Joseph M. Zawodny, senior research scientist at NASA Langley Research Center. Zawodny discusses research on "Low Energy Nuclear Reactions" at NASA Langley, and the incredible potential of this new form of nuclear power-IF theory is validated by experimental results.

Significant discussions have occurred recently on various internet venues about "load following"-that is, the capability of a generating source to adjust its power output to match variable demands. There is a myth spreading that nuclear power plants cannot load follow, and today's ever-changing discussion about low-GHG generating sources demands that this myth be dispelled.

Here are some new products available from the American Nuclear Society. Keep your library current-please order today!

or: When nuclear supporters are their own worst enemies

The 143rd edition of the Carnival of Nuclear Bloggers is up right now at 'The Hiroshima Syndrome.'  Click here to access this latest version, contained in the "Fukushima Accident Updates" / blog section of the site.

There have been some significant developments in a number of ongoing news stories this week; we'll touch on three highlights in this wrap-up.

The February 2013 edition of the technical journal Nuclear Technology (NT) is available electronically and in hard copy for American Nuclear Society member subscribers and others.

Environmentalist Stewart Brand, one of the principal founders of the green movement in the United States, speaks on environmentalism and nuclear energy.  Take a look and have a listen!

On January 31, 2013, about 30 lucky members of the Virginia section of the American Nuclear Society heard a series of informative tales from one of the many innovative pioneers of the First Atomic Age. Clay Condit, a man overflowing with personal memories of important nuclear energy milestones-like the initial start-up of the Submarine Thermal Reactor and the post accident analysis of the SL-1 tragedy-entertained the assembled members for a little more than an hour.

New this morning is the 142nd edition of the Carnival of Nuclear Energy, the latest in a long running string of weekly features showcasing the best of the English language pro-nuclear blogs and authors.  Click here to access the Carnival right now, which this week is hosted at Next Big Future.

Editor: Will Davis

What's Next For Used Nuclear Fuel and Nuclear Waste Management Policy?

The American Nuclear Society is soliciting names of qualified members who are interested in becoming the editor of the ANS journal Nuclear Technology (NT). Dr. Nicholas Tsoulfanidis, Professor Emeritus of Nuclear Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology, has served as editor of NT since June 1997. During his term, Professor Tsoulfanidis has done an outstanding job. He has raised NT's reputation for technical excellence and has kept up a full schedule of publishing monthly issues.

The 141st edition of the Carnival of Nuclear Energy is taking place at Atomic Power Review this week.  Click here to visit this latest edition.

This month's post discusses my ideas on an issue I've been thinking about for awhile.  Although we have four new reactors under construction in the United States (at Vogtle and Summer), the nuclear "renaissance" has so far not been nearly as strong as many had hoped. This begs the question as to what is holding nuclear back.

Artist Suzy Hobbs Baker to chronicle

Three courts, three cases