This list of nuclear power systems in space includes
nuclear power systems that were flown to
space
Space is a three-dimensional continuum containing positions and directions. In classical physics, physical space is often conceived in three linear dimensions. Modern physicists usually consider it, with time, to be part of a boundless ...
, or at least launched in an attempt to reach space. Such used nuclear power systems include:
*
radioisotope heater units (RHU) (usually produce heat by spontaneous decay of )
*
radioisotope thermoelectric generator
A radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG, RITEG), or radioisotope power system (RPS), is a type of nuclear battery that uses an array of thermocouples to convert the Decay heat, heat released by the decay of a suitable radioactive material i ...
s (RTG) (usually produce heat by spontaneous decay of and convert it to electricity using a
thermoelectric generator)
* miniaturized
fission reactors (usually produce heat by controlled fission of highly enriched and convert it to electricity using a
thermionic converter)
Systems never launched are not included here, see
Nuclear power in space
Nuclear power in space is the use of nuclear power in outer space, typically either small nuclear fission, fission systems or radioactive decay for electricity or heat. Another use is for scientific observation, as in a Mössbauer spectrometer. T ...
.
Initial total power is provided as either
electrical power
Electric power is the rate of transfer of electrical energy within a electric circuit, circuit. Its SI unit is the watt, the general unit of power (physics), power, defined as one joule per second. Standard prefixes apply to watts as with oth ...
(We) or thermal power (Wt), depending on the intended application.
See also
*
Outer Space Treaty
*
List of high-altitude nuclear explosions
*
Nuclear power in space
Nuclear power in space is the use of nuclear power in outer space, typically either small nuclear fission, fission systems or radioactive decay for electricity or heat. Another use is for scientific observation, as in a Mössbauer spectrometer. T ...
*
List of artificial radiation belts
*
:Nuclear-powered robots
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nuclear power systems in space
Derelict satellites orbiting Earth
Space-borne reactors
Space
Space is a three-dimensional continuum containing positions and directions. In classical physics, physical space is often conceived in three linear dimensions. Modern physicists usually consider it, with time, to be part of a boundless ...
Space
Space is a three-dimensional continuum containing positions and directions. In classical physics, physical space is often conceived in three linear dimensions. Modern physicists usually consider it, with time, to be part of a boundless ...