STUDENT CHALLENGE

Power to Explore Student Writing Challenge

A 200-word writing contest that inspires students to learn about how Radioisotope Power Systems help us explore the extremes of our solar system Read More ›

Podcast

On a Mission: The Power of the Rovers

How do NASA rovers power themselves on Mars? The rovers exploring Mars today – Curiosity and Perseverance – use a system called a “Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator,” or RTG.

slide 3 - This artist’s concept shows NASA’s Voyager spacecraft against a backdrop of stars.

ANNIVERSARY

NASA Celebrates 45 Years of Voyager 1, Enabled by Radioisotope Power

Radioisotope Power Enables 45 Years of Discovery on Voyager 1 Read More ›

slide 4 - NASA engineer looks through the Microsoft HoloLens to see the spacecrafts the students designed.

NASA Uses Technology to Give Students an Out-of-this-World Experience

ANNIVERSARY

Voyager, NASA's Longest-Lived Mission, Logs 45 Years in Space

Launched in 1977, the twin Voyager probes are NASA’s longest-operating mission and the only spacecraft ever to explore interstellar space. Read More ›

Active Missions

Perseverance
Voyager 1

45+ Years in Space
Voyager 2

45+ Years in Space
New Horizons

New Horizons: Mission Elapsed Time
Curiosity

4 yrs, 60 days on Mars

News and Features

Six decades after the launch of the first nuclear-powered space mission, Transit IV-A, NASA is embarking on a bold future of human exploration and scientific discovery. This future builds on a proud history of safely launching and operating nuclear-powered missions in space.

After 60 Years, Nuclear Power for Spaceflight is Still Tried and True

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.

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

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

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.

STUDENT CHALLENGE

Power to Explore Student Writing Challenge

Podcast

On a Mission: The Power of the Rovers

ANNIVERSARY

NASA Celebrates 45 Years of Voyager 1, Enabled by Radioisotope Power

NASA Uses Technology to Give Students an Out-of-this-World Experience

ANNIVERSARY

Voyager, NASA's Longest-Lived Mission, Logs 45 Years in Space

New Horizons: Mission Elapsed Time

News and Features

Why RPS?

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

More Galleries

Images

Missions

Videos