Nuclear Batteries in Spacecraft: Fundamentals and Case Study

One of the biggest challenges in spacecraft and space missions is the availability of power for the onboard systems. While solar panels can be seen as a possible alternative for this power issue, most of the time spacecraft and rovers are in eclipse and thus may not receive sufficient power for the mission. In deep space, finding enough sunlight to power the systems can be an extreme challenge and many space missions can't afford the loss of power for any sustained period of time.

Nuclear energy can be a strong alternative to provide power for spacecraft and space missions. Of course, it may not be feasible to have a nuclear reactor on every spacecraft or mission. In these instances, it makes sense to have a nuclear battery on board to provide sustainable power. Naturally, a nuclear battery will have its own limitations, but nevertheless, it can be a more reliable source of power as compared to solar energy.

This book discusses the fundamentals of a nuclear battery including terminology, radioistope thermoelectric generators, and the criteria and a case study is presented.