The article also suggests using the probe to analyze the composition of other planets. Is that doable? It seems pretty tough to me to carry on a space ship a nuclear probe hot enough to melt rocks.
If we're to the point where we're even considering this, presumably we're in a position to obtain the materials from either local sources, or possibly asteroid sources. This presumes a level of tech much higher than our current one since at our current one we can barely land probes that can drill semi-aimlessly into rocks. (And don't get me wrong, that's a hell of an achievement that gives me the Warm Science Fuzzies that we can pull it off... but it's also a long way from being able to do this sort of probe on other planets.)
If you're going to carry a probe powerful enough to melt rocks on a spaceship, the probe better damn well be nuclear powered. There's no other way to get the energy density to make the launch costs feasible.
