Title: Mars 2020 | Powering NASA’s Mars Perseverance Rover - INL
Headings: 
INL POWERS MARS PERSEVERANCE ROVER
INL recently assembled, tested and delivered to Kennedy Space Center the Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (MMRTG) that will power NASA’s Mars Perseverance Rover.
Powering Perseverance: The Mars Rover has Landed
The Mission
WHAT IS INL’S ROLE WITH SPACE TRAVEL?
NATIONAL LABS FUEL SPACE EXPLORATION
WHAT IS AN MMRTG, AND HOW DOES IT WORK?
TIMELINE
HOT TOPICS
National labs resume plutonium production for space exploration
To Pluto and beyond: Work that reaches the stars
Spuds and Space: NASA and Idaho have a long history
Nuclear Reimagined Virtual Field Trip – Chapter 5: To infinity & beyond
Prepping the Perseverance Power Source
ATOMIC POWER IN SPACE II
A History of Space Nuclear Power and Propulsion in the United States
STEM ACTIVITY BOOK
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if a rocket carrying Pu-238 has a problem on takeoff?
What is a Radioisotope Power System?
How does an RTG work?
Developing RTGs
History of RTGs
What’s next?
What is Plutonium-238?
What is Pu-238 used for?
Why does NASA need more Pu-238?
How is Pu-238 made?
What is INL’s role?
Who is funding the production of Pu-238?
What happens if a rocket carrying Pu-238 has a problem on takeoff?
What is a Radioisotope Power System?
How does an RTG work?
Developing RTGs
History of RTGs
What’s next?
What is Plutonium-238?
What is Pu-238 used for?
Why does NASA need more Pu-238?
How is Pu-238 made?
What is INL’s role?
Who is funding the production of Pu-238?
Multimedia Gallery
MARS 2020 ROVER
by Marco_Romero

Content: Email Jeff Pinkham or call (208)-533-7404
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if a rocket carrying Pu-238 has a problem on takeoff? Plutonium-238 is encapsulated in multiple protective layers designed to withstand heat and to prevent the spread of Pu-238 in the event of an accident. The Pu-238 oxide pellet itself is designed with chemical and mechanical properties to reduce accident consequences. Read More
What is a Radioisotope Power System? Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS) convert heat generated by the natural decay of plutonium-238—a radioactive isotope—into electrical power. They have powered more than two dozen U.S. space missions and are capable of producing heat and electricity under the harsh conditions in deep space for decades
Read More
How does an RTG work? RTGs work by converting thermal energy into electrical energy through devices known as thermocouples. The natural decay of plutonium-238 produces heat that is then transferred to one side of the thermocouple. The temperature difference between the fuel and the atmosphere allows the device to convert
Read More
Developing RTGs
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) develops RPS for NASA by utilizing the specialized facilities at its national labs. Read More
History of RTGs
First generation RTGs carried small amounts of radioisotope materials and were built to burn up at high altitudes during an accidental reentry.