Radioisotope Power Systems

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slide 1 - An engineer at NASA Glenn Research Center operating a free-piston Stirling engine

Dynamic Radioisotope Power Systems Sources Sought Notice has been Released

slide 2 - New Horizon launch

Presidential Memorandum on Launch of Spacecraft Containing Space Nuclear Systems

slide 3 - An illustration of a stable atom vs an unstable atom

What Powers a Spacecraft?

To choose the best type of power for a spacecraft, engineers consider where it is traveling, what it plans to do there and how long it will need to work. MORE ›

slide 4 - Artist's rendition of Dragonfly on Titan

RTG Power Will Help NASA's Dragonfly Fly Around Titan

NASA has announced that our next destination in the solar system is the unique, richly organic world Titan. MORE ›

slide 5 - An image of the Mars 2020 rover in the JPL's Spacecraft Assembly Facility's High Bay 1

MMRTG fueling for Mars 2020 Rover Begins

NASA gives the go-ahead to fuel the Mars 2020 rover's Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator, which will power rover and help keep it warm while exploring Mars. MORE ›

Active Missions

Voyager 1

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Voyager 2

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New Horizons

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Curiosity

4 yrs, 60 days on Mars

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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.

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.

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.

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.