List Of Nuclear Power Systems In Space
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This list of nuclear power systems in space includes nuclear power systems that were flown to
space Space is the boundless three-dimensional extent in which objects and events have relative position and direction. In classical physics, physical space is often conceived in three linear dimensions, although modern physicists usually consider ...
, or at least launched in an attempt to reach space. Such used nuclear power systems include: *
radioisotope heater unit Radioisotope heater units (RHU) are small devices that provide heat through radioactive decay. They are similar to tiny radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTG) and normally provide about one watt of heat each, derived from the decay of a fe ...
s (RHU) (usually produce heat by spontaneous decay of ) *
radioisotope thermoelectric generator A radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG, RITEG), sometimes referred to as a radioisotope power system (RPS), is a type of nuclear battery that uses an array of thermocouples to convert the heat released by the decay of a suitable radioacti ...
s (RTG) (usually produce heat by spontaneous decay of and convert it to electricity using a
thermoelectric generator A thermoelectric generator (TEG), also called a Seebeck generator, is a solid state device that converts heat flux (temperature differences) directly into electrical energy through a phenomenon called the ''Seebeck effect'' (a form of thermoele ...
) * miniaturized fission reactors (usually produce heat by controlled fission of highly enriched and convert it to electricity using a
thermionic converter A thermionic converter consists of a hot electrode which thermionically emits electrons over a potential energy barrier to a cooler electrode, producing a useful electric power output. Caesium vapor is used to optimize the electrode work functi ...
) 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 fission systems or radioactive decay for electricity or heat. Another use is for scientific observation, as in a Mössbauer spectrometer. The most common ...
. Initial total power is provided as either
electrical power Electric power is the rate at which electrical energy is transferred by an electric circuit. The SI unit of power is the watt, one joule per second. Standard prefixes apply to watts as with other SI units: thousands, millions and billions of ...
(We) or thermal power (Wt), depending on the intended application.


See also

*
Outer Space Treaty russian: link=yes, Договор о космосе es, link=yes, Tratado sobre el espacio ultraterrestre , long_name = Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moo ...
* 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 fission systems or radioactive decay for electricity or heat. Another use is for scientific observation, as in a Mössbauer spectrometer. The most common ...
* 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 the boundless three-dimensional extent in which objects and events have relative position and direction. In classical physics, physical space is often conceived in three linear dimensions, although modern physicists usually consider ...
Space Space is the boundless three-dimensional extent in which objects and events have relative position and direction. In classical physics, physical space is often conceived in three linear dimensions, although modern physicists usually consider ...