New Fuel for Nuclear Power Systems Could Enable Missions to Mars and Beyond

New fuel for nuclear power systems could enable missions to Mars and beyond

Beyond plans to return astronauts to the moon for the first time since the Apollo Era, NASA and other space agencies have their sights trained on Mars, Venus, and other deep-space destinations. To accomplish this, robust power systems are needed to provide ample power for spacecraft instruments and propulsion systems, thus reducing overall transit times.

NASA tests new nuclear fuel that could outlast plutonium in space

NASA just tested a new nuclear fuel that could outlive plutonium and power deep space missions for decades.

A New Fuel for Nuclear Power Systems Could Enable Missions to Mars and Beyond

To explore the unknown in deep space, millions of miles away from Earth, it’s crucial for spacecraft to have ample power. NASA’s radioisotope power systems (RPS) that rely on are a viable option for these missions and have been used for over 60 years. Now, NASA is testing a new type of RPS fuel that could become an additional option for future long-duration journeys to extreme environments.

Additive Manufacturing Enables Advanced Thermal Control Systems for Next-Generation Space Missions

By combining deep applications expertise with 3D Systems’ leading additive manufacturing solutions, research teams are engineering sophisticated thermal management solutions for the demands of next-generation satellites and space exploration.

NASA Evaluates Innovative Fuel for Deep Space Missions

NASA Explores New Fuel Sources for Radioisotope Power Systems in Deep Space Missions In the quest to explore the uncharted corners of our universe, spacecraft require a reliable and sustainable source of power. This is especially true for missions that venture millions of miles away from the Earth. For over six decades, NASA has relied […]