NASA researchers are testing to use nuclear battery to increase the life of future spacecraft to four centuries
Space is endless, so if space organizations can build a spacecraft capable of voyaging for centuries, without returning to Earth, it would be a massive step forward. Space scientists have begun work on achieving this pursuit by proposing a nuclear battery that could run for around four centuries, according to Popular Mechanics. This nuclear battery will supposedly run on a fuel called isotope americium-241. Currently, the fuel in use is plutonium-238, or plutonium oxide, which is maintaining missions like Voyagers, New Horizons, Curiosity, and Perseverance. This fuel helps the battery run for nearly 88 years, which is a lot, but the latest update will increase it four times.
How is a Nuclear Battery Used?
Since the early 1960s, NASA has used radioisotope power systems (RPS) to power missions. Nuclear batteries are a part of the RPS. This system works on the instability of radioisotopes. These elements become unstable in RPS and begin to degrade to regain balance. This degradation is what generates the heat, which keeps the battery running. Degradation of plutonium-238, or plutonium oxide, generates energy that allows the battery to run for 88 years. However, if it is replaced by americium-241, then the life would increase to almost 433 years.
Standards Set by NASA
Even though americium-241 has been tested by several trustworthy sources, for it to be successfully implemented in spacecraft, it needs to adhere to NASA regulations, according to Daily Galaxy. These standards demand that the radioactive material is 'minimally toxic,' implying that the item should not pose a significant risk to the human body if used as fuel. Another thing to consider is that if the fuel is in ceramic form, it should not vaporize. Researchers pay attention to this fact because if a fuel vaporizes, it is harder to contain.
Presently, NASA scientists are testing a new kind of engine called a free-piston Stirling convertor, allowing spacecraft to use the heat released by radioactive materials like americium-241. This engine is different from older versions, as they have pistons floating inside the chambers rather than outside. This change ensures that the energy generation is cleaner, more efficient, and suited to microgravity. NASA's Glenn Research Center has been monitoring one of these free-piston Stirling convertors for 14 years now, and it has been running without any interference, which implies that it can support americium-241 during long space voyages.
Advantages Over Plutonium-238
Americium-241 is better than plutonium-238 on many fronts, as per experts. The latter is very expensive to make, so much so that authorities stopped its production for a while. It was only in 2011 that the Department of Energy restarted its supply, and that too only in a few locations. In comparison, americium-241 is easier to access, as it is a byproduct of nuclear reactors, and therefore, there is already a steady production. Furthermore, Los Alamos National Laboratory is already implementing methods to make the manufacturing process safer and more efficient. If the update actually comes into being, humans are looking into a future where space missions will continue for centuries, stepping into uncharted territories.