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slide 1 - New Horizons spacecraft

RPS Goes the Distance

New Horizons at 50 (AU)

On April 17, NASA's New Horizons reached a rare deep-space milepost -- 50 astronomical units from the Sun, or 50 times farther from the Sun than Earth is. The RTG-powered spacecraft is just the fifth spacecraft to reach this great distance. MORE ›
slide 4 - NASA's Glenn under the snow

Next Gen RTG RFP 'Blackout Period' in Effect

The Next Generation Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (Next Gen RTG) Request for Proposal (RFP) has been formally released and the “Blackout Period” is now in effect. All associated personnel should refrain from communications about the Next Gen RTG RFP with prospective offerors, potential subcontractors, and government team members. MORE ›
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News and Features

With the production of 50 grams of plutonium-238, researchers at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory have restored a U.S. capability dormant for nearly 30 years and set the course to provide power for NASA and other missions.
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Oak Ridge National Laboratory Achieves Milestone With Plutonium-238 Sample
Oak Ridge National Laboratory Achieves Milestone With Plutonium-238 Sample
The Department of Energy and NASA, have reached an important milestone towards reestablishing the ability to fuel future space exploration missions.
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A Step Forward in Reestablishing the Radioisotope Power Systems Supply Chain
Why we use use radioisotope power systems to explore and answers to many other questions about the RPS program.
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Man installing parts on a spacecraft.
Frequently Asked Questions

Why RPS?

For more than five decades, radioisotope power systems have played a critical role in the exploration of space, enabling missions of scientific discovery to destinations across the solar system. › More

Power and Thermal Systems

Technology

Missions

Why RPS?

For more than five decades, radioisotope power systems have played a critical role in the exploration of space, enabling missions of scientific discovery to destinations across the solar system. › More

Power and Thermal Systems

Technology

Missions

MMRTG Mission Planner Data Package

Available to qualified applicants.

More Galleries

  • Images

    Explore some of the amazing views of distant worlds that RPS technology has enabled.

  • Missions

    Read about the exploration enabled by radioisotope power systems.

  • Videos

    Watch videos that explain RPS technology and showcase mission highlights.