How can I make a Nuclear Powered VTOL Safe?
Here's the set up. In my slightly-futuristic mildly-sci-fi novel, I have a need for an aerial transport vehicle (I have been informed what I need is closer to a VTOl than a hovercraft). These crafts need to be able to go from the ground to a building hundreds of stories high with reasonable speed, while still maintaining the comfort of their passengers. They do not need to be large, but should have sufficient space to carry around 40-50 passengers. They are public transportation vehicles, similar to an aerial bus. Most of their movement would be vertical, though they would need to travel horizontally every now and then. They would not need to go far.
I would like these vehicles to be nuclear powered. As I understand it (not being a nuclear scientist, I am likely wrong), one could use a nuclear reactor to turn water to steam, which one could then use to create thrust, thus moving the vehicle. The obvious drawback is the chance of radiation leakage, or worse, explosion.
How can I make my VTOL so safe that the radiation risk is minimal (or non-existent)?
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