NASA researchers have developed an alternative nuclear fuel for the radioisotope generators of spacecraft that currently run on plutonium-238. Americium-241 with a half-life of 432 years became a new source of energy. The use of this isotope will significantly extend the duration of missions in deep space, reports Energy Reporters.
Americium-241 is being tested with Stirling generators, which produce energy through the decay of the isotope. The design of such generators ensures long-term continuous operation with minimal wear and tear, which is critical for long-distance space missions. Even in the event of a failure of one of the converters, the generator is able to maintain power, guaranteeing the level of reliability necessary for operation in deep space conditions, where loss of power could endanger the mission.
If the tests are successful, NASA’s spacecraft will be able to operate much longer, remaining stable and efficient even in remote areas of the solar system, where sunlight is virtually unreachable. Unlike plutonium-238, which has a half-life of 87 years, americium-241 provides a longer-lasting and cheaper source of energy because its production is simpler and less expensive.
The first test results showed that Stirling generators based on americium-241 work longer and more efficiently than previous models, and the amount of energy they produce allows the devices to function in deep space not only for decades, but also for centuries.
According to scientists, this technology opens up new opportunities for studying not only the planets and satellites of the outer solar system, but also its more distant areas that still remain unexplored.
