Space Agency NASA Trying Out Nuclear Power Source with 433-Year Life Span

In the realm of space exploration, two significant developments are currently unfolding. The University of Leicester and NASA's Glenn Research Center are collaborating to develop batteries using Americium-241 for future space missions. Meanwhile, improvements in the production process for Americium-241 are ongoing at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

While these scientific advancements are underway, the world of space journalism is also thriving. Elizabeth Rayne, a prolific writer, contributes to various publications, including Popular Mechanics, Ars Technica, SYFY WIRE, Space.com, Live Science, Den of Geek, Forbidden Futures, and Collective Tales. Her work often focuses on science, technology, and space-related topics, providing insightful and engaging content for readers.

Elizabeth Rayne resides outside of New York City with her parrot, Lestat. Her writing style encompasses drawing, playing the piano, and various other creative outlets, which often shine through in her articles. Her work has been published in both online and print formats, reaching a wide audience.

The use of Americium-241 in space missions is a promising alternative to Plutonium-238, which has a half-life of nearly 88 years. While Plutonium-238 had been on a 30-year production hiatus before 2011, it is now being produced at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Idaho National Laboratory, and several other facilities. However, the longer half-life of Americium-241, almost 433 years, makes it a more attractive choice for future missions.

Radioisotope power systems (RPS) have been used by NASA since the 1960s to power various space missions, including Voyagers, New Horizons, Curiosity, Perseverance, and Dragonfly. A free-piston Stirling convertor is being considered for generating electricity from radioactive fuel in RPS, which allows pistons to float within the engine in microgravity.

One of the most remarkable feats of RPS is the Voyagers, which are still heading further away from the Solar System, still powered by RPS. This testament to the effectiveness of RPS in powering long-duration space missions underscores the importance of continued research and development in this area.

As the University of Leicester and NASA's Glenn Research Center continue their work on Americium-241 batteries, and as improvements are made in the production process at Los Alamos National Laboratory, the future of space exploration is poised for exciting advancements. Meanwhile, writers like Elizabeth Rayne will continue to document these developments, keeping the public informed and engaged in the thrilling world of space exploration.