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Sure. Radioisotope thermal generators are standard issue on deep space probes but nearly unheard of in terrestrial applications, because there are so many easie
by paledot 6y ago
Sure. Radioisotope thermal generators are standard issue on deep space probes but nearly unheard of in terrestrial applications, because there are so many easier and cheaper sources of energy on earth. If the best they can manage is a large, heavy reactor that produces a slow trickle of electricity that lasts for decades, that's viable for many autonomous space applications but nothing special on Earth, except maybe in a few remote applications like sensor platforms on the sea bed or inside volcanoes.
- addaon 6y ago"nearly unheard of in terrestrial applications" That "nearly" hides a lot of interesting stories, though! https://englishrussia.com/2009/01/06/abandoned-russian-polar-nuclear-lighthouses/ https://englishrussia.com/2009/01/06/abandoned-russian-polar...