The Nuclear Heartbeat of Space Exploration

As soon as we leave Earth’s orbit to wander deeper into space, nuclear is our best and often only source of power. Here is why.

It might be surprising, but for the long-term operation of onboard systems, there are currently only two viable power sources: solar power and nuclear power.

And when conditions get really harsh, nuclear power is the only option left.

Not quite. Nuclear reactors start a controlled chain reaction by bombarding uranium atoms with neutrons. When a uranium atom is hit by a neutron, it splits and releases heat and other neutrons. These neutrons split further uranium atoms, releasing more heat and neutrons, and so on. This process is called fission, and the heat released is used to generate electricity.

But even when left alone, the atoms that make up uranium or other radioactive materials will split. This is a natural process known as radioactive decay. It occurs much slower than under neutron bombardment, but it still releases enough heat to create a small amount of power — the power of a nuclear battery, and enough to run space vehicles for a long time.

Imagine you’re out camping. A nuclear reactor is like the campfire: it kicks out some serious heat, enough to keep you warm, dry your clothes, boil a big pot of water and roast food. You can keep it going as long as you like by feeding it more fuel. A nuclear battery, on the other hand, is like the hot embers that get you through the night: enough heat for toasting some marshmallows, but nothing too energy-hungry. And when the…

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