List of nuclear power systems in space

Last updated

This list of nuclear power systems in space includes 83 nuclear power systems that were flown to space, or at least launched in an attempt to reach space. Such used nuclear power systems include:

Systems never launched are not included here, see Nuclear power in space.

Initial total power is provided as either electrical power (We) or thermal power (Wt), depending on the intended application.

NationMissionLaunchedStatusLocationNotesTypeSystem nameNuclear fuelPower (nominal)Ref
Flag of the United States.svg  USA Transit-4A 1961IntactEarth orbit RTG SNAP-3B 238
Pu
2.7 We [1]
Flag of the United States.svg  USA Transit-4B 1961IntactEarth orbit RTG SNAP-3B 238
Pu
2.7 We [1]
Flag of the United States.svg  USA Transit 5BN-1 1963IntactEarth orbit RTG SNAP-9A 238
Pu
25.2 We [1]
Flag of the United States.svg  USA Transit 5BN-2 1963IntactEarth orbit RTG SNAP-9A 238
Pu
26.8 We [1]
Flag of the United States.svg  USA Transit 5BN-3 1964Destroyed-Failed to reach orbit, burned up in atmosphere. RTG SNAP-9A 238
Pu
25 We [2]
Flag of the United States.svg  USA SNAPSHOT 1965IntactEarth orbitLow graveyard orbit in 1300 km heightFission reactor SNAP-10A 235
U
(uranium-zirconium hydride)
500 We [1]
Flag of the United States.svg  USA Nimbus B (Nimbus-B1)1968-05-18Destroyed-Crashed at launch, radioactive material from RTG recovered from ocean and reused RTG SNAP-19B (2) 238
Pu
56 We [1] [3]
Flag of the United States.svg  USA Nimbus 3 (Nimbus-B2)1969-04-14Destroyed-Earth re-entry 1972 RTG SNAP-19B (2) 238
Pu
56 We [1]
Flag of the United States.svg  USA Nimbus IV 1970IntactEarth orbit RTG SNAP-19 [4]
Flag of the United States.svg  USA Nimbus V 1972IntactEarth orbit RTG SNAP-19 [4]
Flag of the United States.svg  USA Nimbus VI 1975DamagedEarth orbit RTG SNAP-19 [4]
Flag of the United States.svg  USA Nimbus VII 1978DamagedEarth orbit RTG SNAP-19 [4]
Flag of the United States.svg  USA Apollo 11 1969IntactLunar surface Sea of Tranquility RHU RHU (2)30 Wt [1]
Flag of the United States.svg  USA Apollo 12 ALSEP 1969IntactLunar surface Ocean of Storms [5] RTG SNAP-27 238
Pu
73.6 We [1]
Flag of the United States.svg  USA Apollo 13 ALSEP1970IntactEarth oceanSurvived reentry, remains at 7000+ ft depth, Tonga Trench, Pacific Ocean RTG SNAP-27 238
Pu
73 We [1]
Flag of the United States.svg  USA Apollo 14 ALSEP1971IntactLunar surface Fra Mauro RTG SNAP-27 238
Pu
72.5 We [1]
Flag of the United States.svg  USA Apollo 15 ALSEP1971IntactLunar surface Hadley–Apennine RTG SNAP-27 238
Pu
74.7 We [1]
Flag of the United States.svg  USA Pioneer 10 1972IntactSolar escape trajectory RTG SNAP-19 (4) + RHU (12) 238
Pu
162.8 We + 12 Wt [1]
Flag of the United States.svg  USA Apollo 16 ALSEP1972IntactLunar surface Descartes Highlands RTG SNAP-27 238
Pu
70.9 We [1]
Flag of the United States.svg  USA TRAID-01-1X1972IntactEarth orbit RTG SNAP-19 238
Pu
35.6 We [1]
Flag of the United States.svg  USA Apollo 17 ALSEP1972IntactLunar surface Taurus–Littrow RTG SNAP-27 238
Pu
75.4 We [1]
Flag of the United States.svg  USA Pioneer 11 1973IntactSolar escape trajectory RTG RTG SNAP-19 (4) + RHU (12) 238
Pu
159.6 We + 12 Wt [1]
Flag of the United States.svg  USA Viking 1 1976IntactMars surface Chryse Planitia RTG lander modified SNAP-19 (2) 238
Pu
84.6 We [1]
Flag of the United States.svg  USA Viking 2 1976IntactMars surface Utopia Planitia RTG lander modified SNAP-19 (2) 238
Pu
86.2 We [1]
Flag of the United States.svg  USA LES-8 1976IntactEarth orbitNear geostationary orbit RTG MHW-RTG (2) 238
Pu
307.4 We [1]
Flag of the United States.svg  USA LES-9 1976IntactEarth orbitNear geostationary orbit RTG MHW-RTG (2) 238
Pu
308.4 We [1]
Flag of the United States.svg  USA Voyager 1 1977In useSolar escape trajectory RTG MHW-RTG (3) + RHU(9) 238
Pu
477.6 We + 9 Wt [1]
Flag of the United States.svg  USA Voyager 2 1977In useSolar escape trajectory RTG MHW-RTG (3) + RHU(9) 238
Pu
470.1 We + 9 Wt [1]
Flag of the United States.svg  USA Mars 2020/Perseverance 2020In useMars surface RTG MMRTG 238
Pu
110 We [6]
Flag of the United States.svg  USA Galileo 1989Destroyed-Jupiter atmospheric entry RTG GPHS-RTG (2)576.8 We [1]
Flag of the United States.svg  USA Ulysses 1990IntactHeliocentric orbit RTG GPHS-RTG 283 We [1]
Flag of the United States.svg  USA Cassini 1997Destroyed-Burned-up in Saturn's atmosphere RTG GPHS-RTG (3) 238
Pu
887 We
Flag of the United States.svg  USA New Horizons 2006In useSolar escape trajectory RTG GPHS-RTG (1) 238
Pu
249.6 We
Flag of the United States.svg  USA MSL/Curiosity rover 2011In useMars surface RTG MMRTG 238
Pu
113 We
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union Kosmos 841965IntactEarth orbit RTG Orion-1 RTG 210
Po
[4] [7]
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union Kosmos 901965IntactEarth orbit RTG Orion-1 RTG 210
Po
[4] [7]
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union Kosmos 198 (RORSAT) 1967-12-27IntactEarth orbitFission reactor BES-5  ?? 235
U
[4] [8]
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union Kosmos 209 (RORSAT) 1968-03-22IntactEarth orbitFission reactor BES-5  ?? 235
U
[4] [8]
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union Kosmos 300 (Moon)1969-09-23Destroyed-Failed to achieve escape trajectory, burned up 4 days after launch RTG 210
Po
[9]
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union Kosmos 305 (Moon)1969-10-22Destroyed-Failed to achieve escape trajectory, burned up 2 days after launch RTG 210
Po
[4] [10] [11] [12] [9]
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union Kosmos 367 (RORSAT)1970-10-03IntactEarth orbit, 579 mile altitudeFission reactor BES-5  ?? 235
U
2 kWe [4] [8] [13]
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union Kosmos 402 (RORSAT)1971IntactEarth orbitFission reactor BES-5  ?? 235
U
2 kWe [4] [8]
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union Kosmos 469 (RORSAT) 1971IntactHigh orbitFission reactor BES-5 (officially confirmed) 235
U
2 kWe [14]
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union Kosmos 516 1972IntactHigh orbited 1972Fission reactor BES-5 235
U
2 kWe [14]
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union RORSAT 1973Destroyed-Launch failure over Pacific Ocean, near JapanFission reactor BES-5 235
U
2 kWe [14]
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union Kosmos 626 1973IntactEarth orbitFission reactor BES-5 235
U
2 kWe [14]
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union Kosmos 651 1974Fission reactor BES-5 235
U
2 kWe [14]
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union Kosmos 654 1974Fission reactor BES-5 235
U
2 kWe [14]
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union Kosmos 723 1975Fission reactor BES-5 235
U
2 kWe [14]
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union Kosmos 724 1975Fission reactor BES-5 235
U
2 kWe [14]
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union Kosmos 785 1975Destroyed-Failed after reaching orbitFission reactor BES-5 235
U
2 kWe [14]
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union Kosmos 860 1976Fission reactor BES-5 235
U
2 kWe [14]
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union Kosmos 861 1976Fission reactor BES-5 235
U
2 kWe [14]
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union Kosmos 952 1977Fission reactor BES-5 235
U
2 kWe [14]
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union Kosmos 954 1977Destroyed-Exploded on re-entry 1978 (over Canada)Fission reactor BES-5 235
U
2 kWe [14]
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union Kosmos 1176 1980IntactEarth orbit11788/11971 Earth orbit 870–970 kmFission reactor BES-5 235
U
2 kWe [14]
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union Kosmos 1249 1981Fission reactor BES-5 235
U
2 kWe [14]
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union Kosmos 1266 1981Fission reactor BES-5 235
U
2 kWe [14]
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union Kosmos 1299 1981Fission reactor BES-5 235
U
2 kWe [14]
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union Kosmos 1402 1982Destroyed-Earth re-entry 1983 (South Atlantic)Fission reactor BES-5 235
U
2 kWe [14]
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union Kosmos 1372 1982Fission reactor BES-5 235
U
2 kWe [14]
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union Kosmos 1365 1982Fission reactor BES-5 235
U
2 kWe [14]
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union Kosmos 1412 1982Fission reactor BES-5 235
U
2 kWe [14]
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union Kosmos 1461 1983Destroyed-Earth orbit, explodedFission reactor BES-5 235
U
2 kWe [4]
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union Kosmos 1597 1984Fission reactor BES-5 235
U
2 kWe [14]
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union Kosmos 1607 1984IntactEarth orbitHigh orbited 1985Fission reactor BES-5 235
U
2 kWe [14]
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union Kosmos 1670 1985IntactEarth orbitHigh orbited 1985Fission reactor BES-5 235
U
2 kWe [14]
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union Kosmos 1677 1985IntactEarth orbitHigh orbited 1985Fission reactor BES-5 235
U
2 kWe [14]
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union Kosmos 1736 1986IntactEarth orbitHigh orbited 1986Fission reactor BES-5 235
U
2 kWe [14]
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union Kosmos 1771 1986IntactEarth orbitHigh orbited 1986Fission reactor BES-5 235
U
2 kWe [14]
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union Kosmos 1900 1987IntactEarth orbitEarth orbit, 454 mile altitudeFission reactor BES-5 235
U
2 kWe [14] [13]
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union Kosmos 1860 1987Fission reactor BES-5 235
U
2 kWe [14]
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union Kosmos 1932 1988IntactEarth orbit800–900 kmFission reactor BES-5 235
U
2 kWe [14]
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union Kosmos 1682 1985IntactEarth orbitHigh orbited 1986Fission reactor BES-5 235
U
2 kWe [14]
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union Kosmos 1818 (RORSAT)1987Destroyed-Destroyed in high Earth orbitFission reactor Topaz-I 235
U
5 kWe [15]
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union Kosmos 1867 (RORSAT)1987IntactEarthParked in high Earth orbitFission reactor Topaz-I 235
U
5 kWe [16]
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union Lunokhod 201 1969-02-19Destroyed-Rocket exploded at launch, radioactive material from RHU spread over Russia RHU 210
Po
[17]
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union Lunokhod 1 1970IntactLunar surface RHU 210
Po
[17]
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union Lunokhod 2 1973IntactLunar surface RHU 210
Po
[17]
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia Mars 96 1996Destroyed- Launch failure, entered Pacific Ocean RHU RHU (4) 238
Pu
[17]
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China Chang'e 3 lander2013In useLunar surface RHU In combination with solar panels allows continued use of the Lunar-based ultraviolet telescope 238
Pu
[18]

[19]

Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China Yutu rover2013IntactLunar surface RHU Communication lost in 2015
Flag of India.svg  India Chandrayaan-3 propulsion module2023In useEarth orbit RHU BARC RHU, transferred back from lunar orbit after lander mission completion 241Am 2 Wt [20]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 "Atomic Power in Space II: A History 2015" (PDF). inl.gov. Idaho National Laboratory. September 2015. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
  2. "Transit". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 24 January 2013. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
  3. A. Angelo Jr. and D. Buden (1985). Space Nuclear Power. Krieger Publishing Company. ISBN   0-89464-000-3.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Hagen, Regina (November 8, 1998). "Nuclear Powered Space Missions - Past and Future". space4peace.org. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
  5. David M. Harland (2011). Apollo 12 - On the Ocean of Storms. Springer Science & Business Media. p. 269. ISBN   978-1-4419-7607-9.
  6. mars.nasa.gov. "Electrical Power". mars.nasa.gov. Retrieved 2021-02-25.
  7. 1 2 Bennett, Gary L. (August 6, 1989). "A LOOK AT THE SOVIET SPACE NUCLEAR POWER PROGRAM" (PDF). International Forum on Energy Engineering. IECEC-89. NASA Propulsion, Power and Energy Division. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Sven Grahn. "The US-A program (Radar Ocean Reconnaissance Satellites)". svengrahn.pp.se. Retrieved 2020-05-12.
  9. 1 2 "The 2014 NASA Nuclear Power Assessment Study (NPAS): Safety, Environmental Impact, and Launch Approval Considerations and Findings" (PDF). Retrieved 2024-06-15.
  10. Encyclopedia Astronautica article on the US-A RORSAT programme.
  11. "USSR - Luna Programme".
  12. "NASA - NSSDCA - Spacecraft - Details".
  13. 1 2 "Top 10 Space Age Radiation Incidents". 20 January 2012.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 "US-A". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Mark Wade. 14 September 2007. Archived from the original on 2007-09-14. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
  15. "Old Russian Nuclear Satellite Returns". Spacedaily.com. Retrieved 2016-02-23.
  16. Lardier, Christian; Barensky, Stefan (March 27, 2018). The Proton Launcher: History and Developments. Wiley-ISTE. ISBN   978-1786301765.
  17. 1 2 3 4 Karacalıoğlu, Göktuğ (January 6, 2014). "Energy Resources for Space Missions". Space Safety Magazine. Retrieved January 18, 2014.
  18. SUN, ZeZhou; JIA, Yang; ZHANG, He (November 2013). "Technological advancements and promotion roles of Chang'e-3 lunar probe mission". Science China. 56 (11): 2702–2708. Bibcode:2013ScChE..56.2702S. doi:10.1007/s11431-013-5377-0. S2CID   111801601. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 March 2014. Retrieved 25 December 2013.
  19. "Chang'e-3 - Satellite Missions". earth.esa.int. ESA. Retrieved 12 June 2018.
  20. "Nuclear energy keeps Chandrayaan-3 propulsion module going". The Times of India. 2023-10-31. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 2023-10-31.