[Interview] Improving Nuclear Power Generators for Future Space Missions
Universe Today Podcast
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Powering Space: The Role of RTGs and Isotopes
This chapter explores Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTGs) and their critical role in space exploration powered by radioactive isotopes like plutonium-238. It discusses the historical significance, advantages, and challenges of various isotopes used in RTGs, including the implications of their half-lives and the complexities of supply chains. The chapter emphasizes the importance of selecting suitable isotopes for ensuring reliable power sources in future space missions.
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Transcript
