Multi-mission radioisotope thermoelectric generator

Space exploration missions require safe, reliable, long-lived power systems to provide electricity and heat to spacecraft and their science instruments.

A uniquely capable source of power is the radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG) – essentially a nuclear battery that reliably converts heat into electricity.

Design goals for the MMRTG included ensuring a high degree of safety, optimizing power levels over a minimum lifetime of 14 years, and minimizing weight.

The fins themself have a length of 18.83cm (7.41 in) [8] Curiosity, the MSL rover that was successfully landed in Gale Crater on August 6, 2012, uses one MMRTG to supply heat and electricity for its components and science instruments.

[9] A MMRTG was successfully launched into space on July 30, 2020, aboard the Mars 2020 mission, and is now being used to supply the scientific equipment on the Perseverance rover with heat and power.

[11] The upcoming NASA Dragonfly mission to Saturn's moon Titan will use one of the two MMRTGs for which the Aerojet Rocketdyne/Teledyne Energy Systems team has recently received a contract.