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RTGs are lightweight, compact spacecraft Second, the fuel is divided among 18 small,
power systems that are extraordinarily reli- independent modular units, each with its own
able. RTGs are not nuclear reactors and heat shield and impact shell. This design re-
have no moving parts. They use neither fis- duces the chances of fuel release in an acci-
sion nor fusion processes to produce energy. dent because all modules would not be
Instead, they provide power through the natu- equally impacted in an accident.
ral radioactive decay of plutonium (mostly
Pu-238, a non-weapons-grade isotope). The Third, multiple layers of protective materials,
heat generated by this natural process is including iridium capsules and high-strength
changed into electricity by solid-state ther- graphite blocks, are used to protect the fuel
moelectric converters. and prevent its accidental release. Iridium is
a metal that has a very high melting point and
Safety Design is strong, corrosion-resistant and chemically
compatible with plutonium dioxide. These
The United States has an outstanding record characteristics make iridium useful for pro-
of safety in using RTGs on 24 missions over tecting and containing each fuel pellet.
the past three decades. While RTGs have Graphite is used because it is lightweight and
never caused a spacecraft failure on any of highly heat-resistant.
July 1999
The multiple pro-
tective layers of an
RTG heat source.
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CONCLUSION