Image of next generation RTGs

The Next-Generation RTG study recommends a modular configuration packaged as up to eight variants that would be sized to house between two and 16 GPHS modules as the RTGs heat source. The largest of these concepts would produce at least 400 watts of electricity, would degrade at only ~1.9 percent per year (leading to signicantly higher end-of-mission power), and would weigh less than
132 pounds (60 kilograms).

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 (SMRTG), a Segmented RTG (SRTG), and a Hybrid-Segmented RTG (HSMRTG), in that order of priority.

Credit

NASA

ENLARGE

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