wfn.org | Presbyterian Peacemakers Seek Delay of Satellite Launch

[PCUSA.NEWS@pcusa.org]

8-October-1997 
97395 
 
    Presbyterian Peacemakers Seek 
    Delay of Satellite Launch 
 
    by Jerry L. Van Marter 
 
LOUISVILLE, Ky.--Three Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) leaders have appealed 
to President Clinton to delay the Oct. 13 launch of a spacecraft that will 
carry on board 72 pounds of lethal plutonium. 
 
    In their letter dated Oct. 6 Gary D. Payton, coordinator of the 
Presbyterian Peacemaking Program (PPP), Nancy Eng-MacNeill, chair of the 
Peacemaking Advisory Committee, and General Assembly stated clerk the Rev. 
Clifton Kirkpatrick, said "the benefit of new scientific knowledge is not 
worth the risk, however small" of sending the plutonium-laden Cassini 
spacecraft on its 11-year mission to Saturn. 
 
    The highly radioactive, highly carcinogenic plutonium is fuel for the 
Cassini's generator and NASA has argued that "years of extensive safety 
testing and analyses have demonstrated that the generators are extremely 
rugged and resistant to a release of plutonium, even in severe accident 
environments."  NASA says the probability of a Cassini launch failure is 
about 1 in 20, but that "most failures would not result in a release of 
plutonium." 
 
    The agency estimates a 1-in-1,400 chance of an accident early in the 
launch that would cause a plutonium release, a 1-in-476 chance of such an 
accident later in the launch and a less than 1-in- 1,000,000 chance of a 
plutonium release in a 1999 fly-by past the earth en route to Saturn. 
 
    Payton said, "I feel very comfortable that our position is 
theologically and morally sound."  In 1981, the General Assemblies of both 
PC(USA) predecessor denominations approved a policy statement on nuclear 
power stating: "Policies should encourage low-risk energy systems and 
mandate strict environmental and human safeguards in the production and use 
of [nuclear] energy." 
 
    The text of the Oct. 6 letter to President Clinton: 
 
    "With the NASA launch of the Cassini spacecraft to Saturn rapidly 
approaching, we prayerfully request that you exercise your Presidential 
authority and order a delay in the Cassini launch.  The exploration of 
God's planets and moons has provided tremendous new human knowledge of the 
universe.  The benefit of new scientific knowledge is not worth the risk, 
however small, presented to humankind and to our earth's fragile 
environment by a catastrophic accident with Cassini's 72 pounds of 
plutonium 238 on board.  We strongly urge you to delay the launch until 
alternative power sources are developed for this deep space probe. 
 
    "Believing in God's peaceful design for human beings and the earth, we 
are called to protect the well-being of God's children, particularly those 
without the voices or the means to protect themselves, and to exercise wise 
stewardship of our environment.  Any potential threat to human life or to 
further damage to our earth from Cassini's nuclear generators violates that 
charge to protect humankind and to serve as good stewards of the earth. 
For these reasons, the Peacemaking Advisory Committee of the Presbyterian 
Church (U.S.A.) asks that you delay the Cassini launch. 
 
    "Our Peacemaking Advisory Committee's primary responsibility is to 
provide advice on the peacemaking ministries of the Presbyterian Church 
(U.S.A.).  Peacemaking is a continuing emphasis within the life of this 
denomination composed of more than 11,500 congregations and 2.6 million 
members.  The Committee's advice and counsel is a key component of the 
Presbyterian Peacemaking Program and the denomination's peacemaking witness 
in the world. 
 
    "Mr. President, you are faced with a choice where the outspoken 
advocates on both sides of the Cassini issue are highly vocal and 
determined in the rightness of their position.  We urge you to conclude 
that any risk of plutonium release is too great a risk to bear.  Delay the 
launch until the scientists and engineers find alternative sources of 
energy.  We hold you in our prayers as you face this complex issue." 

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