[zabzonk]

Yes, but also that you can't refill with gas on Mars. And of course we do have nuclear powered vehicles cruising around on Earth. We have also had nuclear powered bombers and cruise missiles, none of which were exactly successful, but not even the US DoD has ever suggested a nuclear powered helicopter. It would be a great introduction to our relationship with Mars if one of the first things we ever did was to spill plutonium across its surface when the helo crashed (as it would, eventually).

[spullara]

Not that likely even in the event of a crash.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radioisotope_thermoelectric_ge...

"This incident resulted in the NASA Safety Committee requiring intact reentry in future RTG launches, which in turn impacted the design of RTGs in the pipeline."