L3Harris Completes Design of Next-Gen Nuclear Power Source for NASA Missions
L3Harris Technologies has finalized the design of the Next-Generation Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (Next Gen RTG), which passed its critical design review on April 2. This advancement enables the development of a powerful energy source for NASA's deep space missions starting in the early 2030s.
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L3Harris Technologies has completed the design of the Next Gen RTG, a nuclear-based power source set to support NASA's deep space missions, following its CDR on April 2. This generator will produce around 250 watts of electricity through the decay of plutonium-238 and is optimized for spacecraft in the vacuum of space, improving heat rejection and power generation efficiency.
Compared to existing RTGs, this new system is designed to maintain performance in cold environments, making it suitable for missions to Uranus, Neptune, and beyond. The project, contracted by the US Department of Energy's Idaho National Laboratory in 2021, is expected to conclude with a production readiness review in 2027. The successful development of the Next Gen RTG is critical for future deep space exploration, as it will provide reliable power for long-duration missions.
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