Nuclear Powered Spacecraft, Part 2
Nuclear Powered Spacecraft Part 2 Nuclear-powered spacecraft use nuclear energy for power or propulsion, enabling missions beyond the reach of solar power and reducing travel times. Common types include radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) for consistent power, nuclear thermal rockets (NTRs) which use a reactor to heat a propellant, and nuclear electric propulsion (NEP) systems that convert reactor heat into electricity to power ion thrusters. While some early systems have been in space, renewed focus is on developing more powerful systems for deep-space exploration. We have already wrote about NEP and NTR systems in previous article Nuclear powered spacecraft (Part 1) . Many nuclear-powered spacecraft are currently operational, primarily using radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) for electricity and heat in deep space, or on the planetary surface. These include the Voyager 1 and 2 probes, the New Horizons spacecraft, and the Curiosity and Perseverance Mars...