Americium: How a long-life nuclear fuel will transform space travel
interestingengineering.com
Americium, a much more common element, may replace plutonium in long-life nuclear batteries, powering spacecraft for centuries.

“The isotope of interest for space is americium-241…Its half-life is a staggering 432 years, five times longer than plutonium-238.”

  • diablexical@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    11·
    1 day ago

    longer missions

    The length of missions is not currently and will not in the short or medium term be limited by the lifespan of plutonium.

    • kalkulat@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
      1·
      16 hours ago

      Except in regions where there is no access to Pu … as the article itself pointed out.