Message posted by Peter Merlin on September 16, 2009 at 10:59:55 PST:
I have read about the A-50 additive (containing cesium) that was used with JP-7 fuel to reduce the RCS of the Blackbird's exhaust plume. I'm not sure is it contained stable (non-radioactive) cesium-133 or a beta emitter such as cesium 134/137. I'm also unsure when the JP-7 was mixed with A-50. In any case, I haven't seen any special handling procedures for JP-7 when the SR-71 was in operation. That fuel leaked all over the place when the plane was hangared. I would think if it were a radiation hazard, it would have become a huge scandal long ago. Several years ago, I checked a sample of JP-7 with a ratemeter (Geiger counter) calibrated for alpha, beta, and gamma. I detected nothing above the natural background radiation. I also checked some J58 engines and A-12 and SR-71 aircraft on display, with similar results.
In Reply to: The experts are silient??? posted by habu-e6 on September 16, 2009 at 9:32:05 PST:
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