"Gene Storey" wrote in message
news:B0qFb.3428$6l1.2442@okepread03...

You may not be aware, but most recce sats are nuclear powered, and the
fuel to scoot them around does not have to be combustible.

I think your mixing two different power needs. If the birds are
carrying nuclear powered
energy cells that's simply for the electrical circuits. To move a satellite
requires propellant
(and it had better NOT be combustible) that once used cannot be renewed.
Move the bird
too much it becomes a paperweight.