Protesters against the nuclear-powered Cassini space probe demonstrated their fear of accidental plutonium release by not demonstrating outside Florida's Kennedy Space Center. This has made it very difficult to estimate how many protesters participated in the event. "We showed them how dangerous it is. At some times, the place was as empty as a graveyard," announced Ryan Hogin, a Montana anti-Cassini activist. "The experts are saying tens of thousands protested—I'd say it was close to 100,000 that stayed home ... maybe more."

With its 72 pounds of plutonium, the Cassini probe blasted off safely for Saturn.

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