Skip Navigation
menu close modal

Resources

Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator (ASRG)

For archival use: Development of ASRG flight units was cancelled in late 2013.

For archival use: An ASRG produces electricity by a triple energy transformation: it first turns the thermal energy from the hot radioisotope fuel into the high-speed kinetic motion of a small piston and its companion displacer.

Development of ASRG flight units was cancelled in late 2013.

Credit

NASA/U.S. Department of Energy

ENLARGE

Related

NASA’s Mars 2020 mission is scheduled to launch aboard an Atlas V rocket from Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida in July 2020.
More
NASA’s Mars 2020 Rover Artist's Concept #1 (Updated)
Mars 2020 Launch Nuclear Safety
From the numerous broad concepts for RTGs that were studied, three system design concepts for a Next-Generation RTG were recommended for further study and optimization: a Segmented-Modular RTG (SMR...
More
Image of next generation RTGs
NASA Radioisotope Power Systems Program Next-Generation RTG Study: Summary 2017
Like a steady campfire that warms intrepid hikers in a remote forest, radioisotope heater units (RHUs) help bring dependable heat to wherever it’s needed for missions bound for the coldest corners ...
More
Fact Sheet About RHUs
Radioisotope Heater Units
For archival use: The conceptual eMMRTG would preserve all MMRTG envelope, volume, interfaces and mounting points while offering significant increases in power.
More
Enhanced Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (eMMRTG) Concept
Enhanced Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (eMMRTG) Concept
In late 2011, NASA plans to launch the largest, most capable rover ever sent to another planet. 
More
In late 2011, NASA plans to launch the largest, most capable rover ever sent to another planet.
Mars Science Laboratory Launch Nuclear Safety
NASA and the Department of Energy (DOE) are working together to enable more space missions through the development of Dynamic Radioisotope Power Systems (DRPS) that utilize moving parts to generate...
More
Turbo-Brayton Convertor: Creare, LLC.
Dynamic Radioisotope Power Systems
Forms to request a copy of the Next-Generation RTG Study Final Report.
More
request forms for Next-Generation RTG Study Final Report
Next-Generation RTG Study Final Report
Forms to request the MMRTG Mission Planner Data Package.
More
Forms to request the MMRTG Mission Planner Data Package
MMRTG Mission Planner Data Package
Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS) are long-lived sources of spacecraft electrical power and heating that are rugged, compact, highly reliable, and relatively insensitive to radiation and other effec...
More
Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS) are long-lived sources of spacecraft electrical power and heating that are rugged, compact, highly reliable, and relatively insensitive to radiation and other effects of the space environment.
Radioisotope Power Systems: Mission Need
Plutonium-238 is a special material that emits steady heat due to its natural radioactive decay. 
More
Plutonium-238 is a special material that emits steady heat due to its natural radioactive decay.
What is Plutonium-238?
Electrical power is critical for exploring Mars—it keeps radios, computers, and scientific instruments working on Mars lander and rover missions.
More
Electrical power is critical for exploring Mars
Radioisotope Power and Heating for Mars Surface Exploration
Ensuring the safety of launch-site workers and the general public in the communities surrounding the launch area is the primary consideration in this planning. 
More
Ensuring the safety of launch-site workers and the general public in the communities surrounding the launch area is the primary consideration in this planning.
Mars Science Laboratory Launch Contingency Planning
Space exploration missions require safe, reliable, long-lived power systems to provide electricity and heat to spacecraft and their science instruments. - Updated: May 2020
More
Fact sheet: Space exploration missions require safe, reliable, long-lived power systems to provide electricity and heat to spacecraft and their science instruments.
Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (MMRTG)
This is the first 360-degree panorama taken by Mastcam-Z, a zoomable pair of cameras aboard NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover. The panorama was stitched together on Earth from 142 individual images ta...
More
360-degree panorama of Jazero Crater on Mars
Mastcam-Z's First 360-Degree Panorama
The objective of this study1 is to discuss a sustainable strategy and present findings for the provisioning of safe, reliable, and affordable nuclear power systems that enable NASA missions.
More
Assessment Study - Final Report Final report on a sustainable strategy for safe, reliable and affordable nuclear power systems for space exploration.
Nuclear Power Assessment Study - Final Report
Download the Next-Generation Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator presentation.
More
Download RTG report.
Next-Generation Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator Presentation

You Might Also Like

This Sources Sought Notice seeks capabilities, innovative ideas for new system development, fiscal estimates, and potential collaboration that could lead to an industry/Government contract for development of a Dynamic Radioisotope Power System (DRPS) for use on the moon with desired extensibility to other solar system destinations.
More
Dynamic Radioisotope Power Systems Sources Sought Notice has been Released
Dynamic Radioisotope Power Systems Sources Sought Notice has been Released
Humanity's first and (so far) last visit to the outermost giant planet in our solar system was a monumental event for scientists and the public alike.
More
Power for Decades: Radioisotope Generator Helps Voyager 2 Keep Exploring 30 Years After Neptune Flyby
Power for Decades: Radioisotope Generator Helps Voyager 2 Keep Exploring 30 Years After Neptune Flyby
Two NASA scientists studying next-generation thermoelectric materials and converters for applications to radioisotope power systems have been awarded the 2019 Outstanding Achievement Award by the International Thermoelectric Society for their decades-long leadership and contributions to the field.
More
International Thermoelectric Society Honors Two NASA Scientists for Contributions to Advancements in Radioisotope Power Technology
International Thermoelectric Society Honors Two NASA Scientists for Contributions to Advancements in Radioisotope Power Technology
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
Fueling of NASA's Mars 2020 Rover Power System Begins
Fueling of NASA's Mars 2020 Rover Power System Begins
NASA has announced that our next destination in the solar system is the unique, richly organic world Titan.
More
NASA's Dragonfly Will Fly Around Titan Looking for Origins, Signs of Life
NASA's Dragonfly Will Fly Around Titan Looking for Origins, Signs of Life
Oak Ridge National Laboratory scientists have automated part of the process of producing plutonium-238, which is used by NASA to fuel deep space exploration.
More
Department of Energy Applies Automation to Improve Plutonium Fuel Production
Department of Energy Applies Automation to Improve Plutonium Fuel Production