Global Information Lookup Global Information

List of nuclear power systems in space information


This list of nuclear power systems in space includes 81 nuclear power systems that were flown to space, or at least launched in an attempt to reach space. Such used nuclear power systems include:

  • radioisotope heater units (RHU) (usually produce heat by spontaneous decay of 238
    Pu
    )
  • radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTG) (usually produce heat by spontaneous decay of 238
    Pu
     and convert it to electricity using a thermoelectric generator)
  • miniaturized fission reactors (usually produce heat by controlled fission of highly enriched 235
    U
     and convert it to electricity using a thermionic converter)

Systems never launched are not included here, see Nuclear power in space.

Initial total power is provided as either electrical power (We) or thermal power (Wt), depending on the intended application.

Nation Mission Launched Fate / location Technology Nuclear fuel Power (nominal) Ref
List of nuclear power systems in space USA Transit-4A 1961 Earth orbit RTG SNAP-3B 238
Pu
 2.7 We [1]
List of nuclear power systems in space USA Transit-4B 1961 Earth orbit RTG SNAP-3B 238
Pu
 2.7 We [1]
List of nuclear power systems in space USA Transit 5BN-1 1963 Earth orbit RTG SNAP-9A 238
Pu
 25.2 We [1]
List of nuclear power systems in space USA Transit 5BN-2 1963 Earth orbit RTG SNAP-9A 238
Pu
 26.8 We [1]
List of nuclear power systems in space USA Transit 5BN-3 1964 Failed to reach orbit, burned up in atmosphere. RTG SNAP-9A 238
Pu
 25 We [2]
List of nuclear power systems in space USA SNAPSHOT 1965 Low graveyard orbit in 1300 km height fission reactor SNAP-10A 235
U
 (uranium-zirconium hydride)		 500 We [1]
List of nuclear power systems in space USA Nimbus B (Nimbus-B1) 1968-05-18 Crashed at launch, radioactive material from RTG recovered from ocean and reused RTG SNAP-19B (2) 238
Pu
 56 We [1][3]
List of nuclear power systems in space USA Nimbus 3 (Nimbus-B2) 1969-04-14 Earth re-entry 1972 RTG SNAP-19B (2) 238
Pu
 56 We [1]
List of nuclear power systems in space USA Nimbus IV 1970 Earth orbit RTG SNAP-19 [4]
List of nuclear power systems in space USA Nimbus V 1972 Earth orbit RTG SNAP-19 [4]
List of nuclear power systems in space USA Nimbus VI 1975 Earth orbit, damaged RTG SNAP-19 [4]
List of nuclear power systems in space USA Nimbus VII 1978 Earth orbit, damaged RTG SNAP-19 [4]
List of nuclear power systems in space USA Apollo 11 1969 RHU (2) 30 Wt [1]
List of nuclear power systems in space USA Apollo 12 ALSEP 1969 Lunar surface (Ocean of Storms)[5] SNAP-27 238
Pu
 73.6 We [1]
List of nuclear power systems in space USA Apollo 13 ALSEP 1970 Earth re-entry (Pacific Ocean, Tonga Trench) RTG SNAP-27 238
Pu
 73 We [1]
List of nuclear power systems in space USA Apollo 14 ALSEP 1971 Lunar surface (Fra Mauro) RTG SNAP-27 238
Pu
 72.5 We [1]
List of nuclear power systems in space USA Apollo 15 ALSEP 1971 Lunar surface (Hadley–Apennine) RTG SNAP-27 238
Pu
 74.7 We [1]
List of nuclear power systems in space USA Pioneer 10 1972 Ejected from Solar System RTG SNAP-19 (4) + RHU (12) 238
Pu
 162.8 We + 12 Wt [1]
List of nuclear power systems in space USA Apollo 16 ALSEP 1972 Lunar surface (Descartes Highlands) RTG SNAP-27 238
Pu
 70.9 We [1]
List of nuclear power systems in space USA TRAID-01-1X 1972 Earth orbit RTG SNAP-19 238
Pu
 35.6 We [1]
List of nuclear power systems in space USA Apollo 17 ALSEP 1972 Lunar surface (Taurus–Littrow) RTG SNAP-27 238
Pu
 75.4 We [1]
List of nuclear power systems in space USA Pioneer 11 1973 Ejected from Solar System RTG SNAP-19 (4) + RHU (12) 238
Pu
 159.6 We + 12 Wt [1]
List of nuclear power systems in space USA Viking 1 1976 Mars surface (Chryse Planitia) lander modified RTG SNAP-19 (2) 238
Pu
 84.6 We [1]
List of nuclear power systems in space USA Viking 2 1976 Mars surface (Utopia Planitia) lander modified RTG SNAP-19 (2) 238
Pu
 86.2 We [1]
List of nuclear power systems in space USA LES-8 1976 Near geostationary orbit MHW-RTG (2) 238
Pu
 307.4 We [1]
List of nuclear power systems in space USA LES-9 1976 Near geostationary orbit MHW-RTG (2) 238
Pu
 308.4 We [1]
List of nuclear power systems in space USA Voyager 1 1977 Ejected from Solar System MHW-RTG (3) + RHU(9) 238
Pu
 477.6 We + 9 Wt [1]
List of nuclear power systems in space USA Voyager 2 1977 Ejected from Solar System MHW-RTG (3) + RHU(9) 238
Pu
 470.1 We + 9 Wt [1]
List of nuclear power systems in space USA Mars 2020/Perseverance 2020 Mars surface MMRTG 238
Pu
 		110 We [6]
List of nuclear power systems in space USA Galileo 1989 Jupiter atmospheric entry GPHS-RTG (2) 576.8 We [1]
List of nuclear power systems in space USA Ulysses 1990 Heliocentric orbit GPHS-RTG 283 We [1]
List of nuclear power systems in space USA Cassini 1997 Burned-up in Saturn's Atmosphere GPHS-RTG (3) 238
Pu
 887 We
List of nuclear power systems in space USA New Horizons 2006 Pluto and beyond GPHS-RTG (1) 238
Pu
 249.6 We
List of nuclear power systems in space USA MSL/Curiosity rover 2011 Mars surface MMRTG 238
Pu
 113 We
List of nuclear power systems in space Soviet Union Kosmos 84 1965 Earth orbit Orion-1 RTG 210
Po
 [4][7]
List of nuclear power systems in space Soviet Union Kosmos 90 1965 Earth orbit Orion-1 RTG 210
Po
 [4][7]
List of nuclear power systems in space Soviet Union Kosmos 198 (RORSAT) 1967-12-27 Earth orbit Fission reactor BES-5 ?? 235
U
 [4][8]
List of nuclear power systems in space Soviet Union Kosmos 209 (RORSAT) 1968-03-22 Earth orbit Fission reactor BES-5 ?? 235
U
 [4][8]
List of nuclear power systems in space Soviet Union Kosmos 305 (Moon) 1969-10-22 Failed to leave Earth orbit towards the Moon, burned up in atmosphere 2 days after launch ?? ?? ?? [4][9][10][11]
List of nuclear power systems in space Soviet Union Kosmos 367 (RORSAT) 1970-10-03 Earth orbit, 579 mile altitude Fission reactor BES-5 ?? 235
U
 2 kWe [4][8][12]
List of nuclear power systems in space Soviet Union Kosmos 402 (RORSAT) 1971 Earth orbit Fission reactor BES-5 ?? 235
U
 2 kWe [4][8]
List of nuclear power systems in space Soviet Union Kosmos 469 (RORSAT) 1971 High orbit Fission reactor BES-5 (officially confirmed) 235
U
 2 kWe [13]
List of nuclear power systems in space Soviet Union Kosmos 516 1972 High orbited 1972 Fission reactor BES-5 235
U
 2 kWe [13]
List of nuclear power systems in space Soviet Union RORSAT 1973 Launch failure over Pacific Ocean, near Japan Fission reactor BES-5 235
U
 2 kWe [13]
List of nuclear power systems in space Soviet Union Kosmos 626 1973 Earth orbit Fission reactor BES-5 235
U
 2 kWe [13]
List of nuclear power systems in space Soviet Union Kosmos 651 1974 BES-5 235
U
 2 kWe [13]
List of nuclear power systems in space Soviet Union Kosmos 654 1974 BES-5 235
U
 2 kWe [13]
List of nuclear power systems in space Soviet Union Kosmos 723 1975 BES-5 235
U
 2 kWe [13]
List of nuclear power systems in space Soviet Union Kosmos 724 1975 BES-5 235
U
 2 kWe [13]
List of nuclear power systems in space Soviet Union Kosmos 785 1975 failed after reaching orbit BES-5 235
U
 2 kWe [13]
List of nuclear power systems in space Soviet Union Kosmos 860 1976 BES-5 235
U
 2 kWe [13]
List of nuclear power systems in space Soviet Union Kosmos 861 1976 BES-5 235
U
 2 kWe [13]
List of nuclear power systems in space Soviet Union Kosmos 952 1977 BES-5 235
U
 2 kWe [13]
List of nuclear power systems in space Soviet Union Kosmos 954 1977 Exploded on re-entry 1978 (over Canada) BES-5 235
U
 2 kWe [13]
List of nuclear power systems in space Soviet Union Kosmos 1176 1980 11788/11971 Earth orbit 870–970 km BES-5 235
U
 2 kWe [13]
List of nuclear power systems in space Soviet Union Kosmos 1249 1981 BES-5 235
U
 2 kWe [13]
List of nuclear power systems in space Soviet Union Kosmos 1266 1981 BES-5 235
U
 2 kWe [13]
List of nuclear power systems in space Soviet Union Kosmos 1299 1981 BES-5 235
U
 2 kWe [13]
List of nuclear power systems in space Soviet Union Kosmos 1402 1982 Earth re-entry 1983 (South Atlantic) BES-5 235
U
 2 kWe [13]
List of nuclear power systems in space Soviet Union Kosmos 1372 1982 BES-5 235
U
 2 kWe [13]
List of nuclear power systems in space Soviet Union Kosmos 1365 1982 BES-5 235
U
 2 kWe [13]
List of nuclear power systems in space Soviet Union Kosmos 1412 1982 BES-5 235
U
 2 kWe [13]
List of nuclear power systems in space Soviet Union Kosmos 1461 1983 Earth orbit, exploded BES-5 235
U
 2 kWe [4]
List of nuclear power systems in space Soviet Union Kosmos 1597 1984 BES-5 235
U
 2 kWe [13]
List of nuclear power systems in space Soviet Union Kosmos 1607 1984 High orbited 1985 BES-5 235
U
 2 kWe [13]
List of nuclear power systems in space Soviet Union Kosmos 1670 1985 High orbited 1985 BES-5 235
U
 2 kWe [13]
List of nuclear power systems in space Soviet Union Kosmos 1677 1985 High orbited 1985 BES-5 235
U
 2 kWe [13]
List of nuclear power systems in space Soviet Union Kosmos 1736 1986 High orbited 1986 BES-5 235
U
 2 kWe [13]
List of nuclear power systems in space Soviet Union Kosmos 1771 1986 High orbited 1986 BES-5 235
U
 2 kWe [13]
List of nuclear power systems in space Soviet Union Kosmos 1900 1987 Earth orbit, 454 mile altitude BES-5 235
U
 2 kWe [13][12]
List of nuclear power systems in space Soviet Union Kosmos 1860 1987 Fission reactor BES-5 235
U
 2 kWe [13]
List of nuclear power systems in space Soviet Union Kosmos 1932 1988 Earth orbit 800–900 km fission reactor BES-5 235
U
 2 kWe [13]
List of nuclear power systems in space Soviet Union Kosmos 1682 1985 High orbited 1986 fission reactor BES-5 235
U
 2 kWe [13]
List of nuclear power systems in space Soviet Union Kosmos 1818 (RORSAT) 1987 Destroyed in high Earth orbit fission reactor Topaz-I 235
U
 5 kWe [14]
List of nuclear power systems in space Soviet Union Kosmos 1867 (RORSAT) 1987 Parked in high Earth orbit fission reactor Topaz-I 235
U
 5 kWe [15]
List of nuclear power systems in space Soviet Union Lunokhod 201 1969-02-19 Rocket exploded at launch, radioactive material from RHU spread over Russia RHU 210
Po
 [16]
List of nuclear power systems in space Soviet Union Lunokhod 1 1970 Lunar surface RHU 210
Po
 [16]
List of nuclear power systems in space Soviet Union Lunokhod 2 1973 Lunar surface RHU 210
Po
 [16]
List of nuclear power systems in space Russia Mars 96 1996 Launch failure, entered Pacific Ocean RHU (4) 238
Pu
 [16]
List of nuclear power systems in space China Chang'e 3 and Yutu 2013 Lunar surface several RHU's, RTG (??) (some electricity provided by solar panels) 238
Pu
 [17]

[18]

List of nuclear power systems in space India Chandrayaan-3 2023 Lunar orbit RHU 241Am 2 Wt [19]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y Cite error: The named reference Atomic was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Astronautica was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ A. Angelo Jr. and D. Buden (1985). Space Nuclear Power. Krieger Publishing Company. ISBN 0-89464-000-3.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Cite error: The named reference space4peace was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference storms was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ mars.nasa.gov. "Electrical Power". mars.nasa.gov. Retrieved 2021-02-25.
  7. ^ a b Bennett, Gary L. (August 6, 1989). "A LOOK AT THE SOVIET SPACE NUCLEAR POWER PROGRAM" (PDF). International Forum on Energy Engineering. IECEC-89. NASA Propulsion, Power and Energy Division. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
  8. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference svengrahn was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Encyclopedia Astronautica article on the US-A RORSAT programme.
  10. ^ "USSR - Luna Programme".
  11. ^ "NASA - NSSDCA - Spacecraft - Details".
  12. ^ a b "Top 10 Space Age Radiation Incidents". 20 January 2012.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae Cite error: The named reference RORSAT was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  14. ^ Cite error: The named reference Kosmos 1818 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  15. ^ Cite error: The named reference proton was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  16. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference eneryspace was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  17. ^ SUN, ZeZhou; JIA, Yang; ZHANG, He (November 2013). "Technological advancements and promotion roles of Chang'e-3 lunar probe mission". Science China. 56 (11): 2702–2708. Bibcode:2013ScChE..56.2702S. doi:10.1007/s11431-013-5377-0. S2CID 111801601. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 March 2014. Retrieved 25 December 2013.
  18. ^ Cite error: The named reference jade rabbit was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  19. ^ "Nuclear energy keeps Chandrayaan-3 propulsion module going". The Times of India. 2023-10-31. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2023-10-31.

and 27 Related for: List of nuclear power systems in space information

Request time (Page generated in 1.1962 seconds.)

List of nuclear power systems in space

Last Update:

list of nuclear power systems in space includes 81 nuclear power systems that were flown to space, or at least launched in an attempt to reach space....

Word Count : 478

Nuclear power in space

Last Update:

Nuclear power in space is the use of nuclear power in outer space, typically either small fission systems or radioactive decay for electricity or heat...

Word Count : 3499

Systems for Nuclear Auxiliary Power

Last Update:

The Systems Nuclear Auxiliary POWER (SNAP) program was a program of experimental radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) and space nuclear reactors...

Word Count : 2681

Lists of nuclear reactors

Last Update:

largest nuclear power stations in the United States List of nuclear power systems in space List of power stations This article includes a list of lists....

Word Count : 140

Nuclear propulsion

Last Update:

in the space sector with nuclear thermal and nuclear electric engines which could be more efficient than conventional rocket engines. Nuclear-powered...

Word Count : 2460

Nuclear marine propulsion

Last Update:

Nuclear marine propulsion is propulsion of a ship or submarine with heat provided by a nuclear reactor. The power plant heats water to produce steam for...

Word Count : 4131

Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant

Last Update:

elektrostantsiya) is a nuclear power plant undergoing decommissioning. ChNPP is located near the abandoned city of Pripyat in northern Ukraine, 16.5 kilometers...

Word Count : 4408

Nuclear power in Pakistan

Last Update:

Chashma Nilore Karachi In Pakistan, nuclear power is provided by six commercial nuclear power plants with a net capacity of 3,262 megawatts (3.262 GW)...

Word Count : 4221

Nuclear power in Canada

Last Update:

Nuclear power in Canada is provided by 19 commercial reactors with a net capacity of 13.5 gigawatt (GW), producing a total of 95.6 terawatt-hours (TWh)...

Word Count : 5945

Nuclear power in Japan

Last Update:

30% of its electrical power from nuclear reactors and planned to increase that share to 40%. Nuclear power energy was a national strategic priority in Japan...

Word Count : 10105

Nuclear power in France

Last Update:

source of electricity in France has been nuclear power, with a generation of 379.5 TWh in 2019 and a total electricity production of 537.7 TWh. In 2018...

Word Count : 10722

Nuclear power

Last Update:

Nuclear power is the use of nuclear reactions to produce electricity. Nuclear power can be obtained from nuclear fission, nuclear decay and nuclear fusion...

Word Count : 21100

Nuclear thermal rocket

Last Update:

A nuclear thermal rocket (NTR) is a type of thermal rocket where the heat from a nuclear reaction replaces the chemical energy of the propellants in a...

Word Count : 7039

Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant

Last Update:

Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (福島第一原子力発電所, Fukushima Daiichi Genshiryoku Hatsudensho, Fukushima number 1 nuclear power plant) is a disabled nuclear power plant...

Word Count : 4560

Nuclear power in the United States

Last Update:

In the United States, nuclear power is provided by 92 commercial reactors with a net capacity of 94.7 gigawatts (GW), with 61 pressurized water reactors...

Word Count : 16818

Space Systems Command

Last Update:

Division's space and missile responsibilities were split, with the Space Systems Division (SSD) established in 1961. In 1967, the Space Systems Division...

Word Count : 7536

Radioisotope thermoelectric generator

Last Update:

radioisotope power system (RPS), is a type of nuclear battery that uses an array of thermocouples to convert the heat released by the decay of a suitable...

Word Count : 6999

Nuclear power debate

Last Update:

The nuclear power debate is a long-running controversy about the risks and benefits of using nuclear reactors to generate electricity for civilian purposes...

Word Count : 19985

Nuclear reactor

Last Update:

Nuclear reactors are used at nuclear power plants for electricity generation and in nuclear marine propulsion. Heat from nuclear fission is passed to a working...

Word Count : 10463

List of nuclear weapons tests

Last Update:

Nuclear weapons testing is the act of experimentally and deliberately firing one or more nuclear devices in a controlled manner pursuant to a military...

Word Count : 6613

Army Nuclear Power Program

Last Update:

The Army Nuclear Power Program (ANPP) was a program of the United States Army to develop small pressurized water and boiling water nuclear power reactors...

Word Count : 3623

Small modular reactor

Last Update:

class of small nuclear fission reactors, designed to be built in a factory, shipped to operational sites for installation and then used to power buildings...

Word Count : 10835

Nuclear meltdown

Last Update:

International Nuclear Event Scale List of civilian nuclear accidents Lists of nuclear disasters and radioactive incidents Nuclear safety Nuclear power Nuclear power...

Word Count : 9396

Tokaimura nuclear accidents

Last Update:

explosion after an experimental batch of solidified nuclear waste caught fire at the Power Reactor and Nuclear Fuel Development Corporation (PNC) radioactive...

Word Count : 4355

Outline of space science

Last Update:

Corrosion in space – Corrosion of materials occurring in outer space Nuclear power in space – Space exploration using nuclear energy Observatories in space –...

Word Count : 1167

Dungeness nuclear power stations

Last Update:

The Dungeness nuclear power stations are a pair of non-operational nuclear power stations located on the Dungeness headland in the south of Kent, England...

Word Count : 3211

Romashka reactor

Last Update:

reactor operated for 15000 hrs. BES-5 reactor List of nuclear power systems in space SNAP-10A TOPAZ nuclear reactor Ponomarev-Stepnoi, N. N.; Kukharkin...

Word Count : 435
PDF Search Engine © AllGlobal.net