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photon · 05-25-2008, 02:58 PM

Some satellites use nuclear fuel.. they're mostly the interplanetary ones where solar would be tough, but some orbiting ones do it.

In most cases it's not a full fledged nuclear reactor, it's just nuclear material in a solid that's dense enough to heat up but not enough to melt, and a thermocouple or something to generate the electricity. No moving parts. I think I read they're robust enough to survive a reentry event and be recovered and recycled.

EDIT: These things: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiois...tric_generator

05-25-2008, 02:58 PM	#17
photon The new goggles also do nothing. Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Calgary Exp:	Some satellites use nuclear fuel.. they're mostly the interplanetary ones where solar would be tough, but some orbiting ones do it. In most cases it's not a full fledged nuclear reactor, it's just nuclear material in a solid that's dense enough to heat up but not enough to melt, and a thermocouple or something to generate the electricity. No moving parts. I think I read they're robust enough to survive a reentry event and be recovered and recycled. EDIT: These things: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiois...tric_generator __________________ Uncertainty is an uncomfortable position. But certainty is an absurd one.