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NASA tests revolutionary plutonium-238 fuel for deep space missions, enabling longer exploration with safer, more efficient power systems for Moon

NASA Advances Deep Space Missions with Breakthrough Radioisotope Fuel Test

📷 Image source: nasa.gov

NASA has taken a significant step toward enabling long-duration deep space missions by successfully testing a new, more efficient radioisotope power system. The space agency recently evaluated an innovative heat source fuel called lithium-encapsulated plutonium-238, which could revolutionize how spacecraft maintain power and warmth in the harsh environment of outer space. This development comes as NASA prepares for ambitious missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond, where traditional solar power becomes impractical. The new fuel pellets, developed in partnership with the Department of Energy, offer higher energy density and improved safety compared to previous designs. Scientists estimate the technology could extend mission durations by decades while reducing spacecraft weight—a critical factor for interplanetary travel. NASA plans to incorporate this power source into upcoming missions, including potential crewed expeditions to Mars in the 2030s. The breakthrough represents years of collaborative research between government agencies and could ultimately determine how far humanity can venture into the cosmos.

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📚 Referensi:

• https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/nasa-tests-new-heat-source-fuel-for-deep-space-exploration/
• https://www.space.com/nasa-new-radioisotope-power-system-deep-space-missions

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#NASA #SpaceExploration #DeepSpace #MarsMission #NuclearPower