Curiosity still kicking after 13 years. Model advertisement for RTGs.
Martian vistas, captured two days ago by Curiosity
#Mars Sep. 26, 2025 - Sol 4671 🧪🔭
Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS/fredk
#Mars Sep. 26, 2025 - Sol 4671 🧪🔭
Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS/fredk
September 28, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Curiosity still kicking after 13 years. Model advertisement for RTGs.
There were a couple incidents in the 90s where people found RTGs in former SSRs and used them as mobile heaters. Not because they didn't care, they just didn't know and RTGs output pretty decent amounts of heat.
They'll just kill you in the process.
They'll just kill you in the process.
September 24, 2026 at 8:37 AM
There were a couple incidents in the 90s where people found RTGs in former SSRs and used them as mobile heaters. Not because they didn't care, they just didn't know and RTGs output pretty decent amounts of heat.
They'll just kill you in the process.
They'll just kill you in the process.
![In the second half of the 20th century, many remote lighthouses in Russia (then Soviet
Union) were powered by radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs). These had the advantage of providing power day or night and did not need refuelling or maintenance.
However, after the collapse of the Soviet government in 1990s, most of the official records on the locations, and condition, of these lighthouses were reportedly lost. 301
Over time, the condition of RTGs in Russia degraded; many of them fell victim to vandalism and scrap metal thieves, who may not have been aware of the dangerous radioactive contents. 31]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:vw4e7blkwzdokanwp24k3igr/bafkreigquvejsgjtzrbhedrg3c6w7simwl2qj2e3ta2hlmaztvo3t2h6nu)
I love um-actuallying to nerd out about RTGs
March 25, 2026 at 12:57 PM
I love um-actuallying to nerd out about RTGs
I think that catgirls should be allowed , ney, encouraged! to own and operate multi-kW RTGs
February 12, 2026 at 8:08 AM
I think that catgirls should be allowed , ney, encouraged! to own and operate multi-kW RTGs
The spacecraft operates on what are basically nuclear batteries — radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) that convert decaying isotopes into electricity. That means that there as there’s less material to work with, Voyager 1 loses around 4 watts of power every year.
April 19, 2026 at 12:31 PM
The spacecraft operates on what are basically nuclear batteries — radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) that convert decaying isotopes into electricity. That means that there as there’s less material to work with, Voyager 1 loses around 4 watts of power every year.
See, I consider it a bonus to have radiation power supplies, because we can mutate our astronauts in route to be sure they have Hulk-like powers on arrival to kick alien butt.
But also, some very cool science.
But also, some very cool science.
May 9, 2024 at 12:43 AM
See, I consider it a bonus to have radiation power supplies, because we can mutate our astronauts in route to be sure they have Hulk-like powers on arrival to kick alien butt.
But also, some very cool science.
But also, some very cool science.
I would recommend against RTGs for cars. They are not rechargeable (I suppose you could swap out the decayed former Pu for fresh Pu, but that's refueling not recharging), and in a crash you run the risk of spraying Pu everywhere, which is generally regarded as suboptimal
March 25, 2026 at 2:07 PM
I would recommend against RTGs for cars. They are not rechargeable (I suppose you could swap out the decayed former Pu for fresh Pu, but that's refueling not recharging), and in a crash you run the risk of spraying Pu everywhere, which is generally regarded as suboptimal
In order for a humanoid robot to survive, it would require enormous amounts of energy and that has to be packaged within the robot. I do think it's possible for certain countries to make robots that can last several days, using a combo of RTGs, batteries and capacitors. But these is expensive.
September 23, 2026 at 9:29 AM
In order for a humanoid robot to survive, it would require enormous amounts of energy and that has to be packaged within the robot. I do think it's possible for certain countries to make robots that can last several days, using a combo of RTGs, batteries and capacitors. But these is expensive.
Weren't there a substantial number of Soviet RTGs for remote lighthouses, etc with questionable custody problems in the 90s?
December 13, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Weren't there a substantial number of Soviet RTGs for remote lighthouses, etc with questionable custody problems in the 90s?
If it's strontium 88, naturally occuring, old TVs. If it's strontium 90, soviet era RTGs, nuclear testing. We're about 4 half-lives from the latter, which would also explain some of the Yttrium (not much, short half life) and zirconium.
@funranium.bsky.social can say better than I.
@funranium.bsky.social can say better than I.
January 18, 2025 at 3:11 AM
If it's strontium 88, naturally occuring, old TVs. If it's strontium 90, soviet era RTGs, nuclear testing. We're about 4 half-lives from the latter, which would also explain some of the Yttrium (not much, short half life) and zirconium.
@funranium.bsky.social can say better than I.
@funranium.bsky.social can say better than I.
RTGs and glaciers do not mix it turns out.
Overall just fantastic reporting. Very exhaustively done. Well worth a read!
Overall just fantastic reporting. Very exhaustively done. Well worth a read!
December 13, 2025 at 6:21 PM
RTGs and glaciers do not mix it turns out.
Overall just fantastic reporting. Very exhaustively done. Well worth a read!
Overall just fantastic reporting. Very exhaustively done. Well worth a read!
I think,
That all catgirls should get a de-facto license to operate RTGs.
That all catgirls should get a de-facto license to operate RTGs.
May 18, 2025 at 1:15 PM
I think,
That all catgirls should get a de-facto license to operate RTGs.
That all catgirls should get a de-facto license to operate RTGs.
But as far as creating such things that can conquer our cities and enslave us (yes, I get asked about this possibility)... it's not going to happen anytime soon, due to battery tech (and the cost of RTGs). However, that doesn't mean that AI isn't a great threat to us because it is.
September 23, 2026 at 9:29 AM
But as far as creating such things that can conquer our cities and enslave us (yes, I get asked about this possibility)... it's not going to happen anytime soon, due to battery tech (and the cost of RTGs). However, that doesn't mean that AI isn't a great threat to us because it is.
Here's a proposal for a Chinese mission to study Neptune & Triton, inc. an atmospheric entry probe, launch ~2033 (annual launch windows).
- Ring, atmos & Triton flyby/entry
- 15+ year lifespan, 30 AU ops
- 2,100 kg probe; dual 300W RTGs
- Aerobraking + multi-flyby trajectory
- Ring, atmos & Triton flyby/entry
- 15+ year lifespan, 30 AU ops
- 2,100 kg probe; dual 300W RTGs
- Aerobraking + multi-flyby trajectory
March 26, 2025 at 11:38 PM
Here's a proposal for a Chinese mission to study Neptune & Triton, inc. an atmospheric entry probe, launch ~2033 (annual launch windows).
- Ring, atmos & Triton flyby/entry
- 15+ year lifespan, 30 AU ops
- 2,100 kg probe; dual 300W RTGs
- Aerobraking + multi-flyby trajectory
- Ring, atmos & Triton flyby/entry
- 15+ year lifespan, 30 AU ops
- 2,100 kg probe; dual 300W RTGs
- Aerobraking + multi-flyby trajectory
any RTGs left up there to maybe rig it to?
April 17, 2026 at 5:24 AM
any RTGs left up there to maybe rig it to?
Is mir jetzt alles egal, wer gründet mit mir ein Unternehmen, was der Bundesregierung sichere RTGs aus Atommüll für den Hausgebrauch verspricht? @fischblog.bsky.social Bock auf schnelles Geld?
April 27, 2026 at 4:17 PM
Is mir jetzt alles egal, wer gründet mit mir ein Unternehmen, was der Bundesregierung sichere RTGs aus Atommüll für den Hausgebrauch verspricht? @fischblog.bsky.social Bock auf schnelles Geld?
RTGs are amazing
September 25, 2024 at 5:47 PM
RTGs are amazing
The Soviet Union had hundreds of automated lighthouses powered by radioisotope thermoelectric generators, aka nuclear batteries. Because of their remote locations and poor record keeping, the location of many of the RTGs was lost.
November 17, 2024 at 11:40 PM
The Soviet Union had hundreds of automated lighthouses powered by radioisotope thermoelectric generators, aka nuclear batteries. Because of their remote locations and poor record keeping, the location of many of the RTGs was lost.
You have to admit replacing gas engines and lithium batteries with RTGs would solve a lot of problems. More than they would create? Who can say
March 25, 2026 at 5:01 AM
You have to admit replacing gas engines and lithium batteries with RTGs would solve a lot of problems. More than they would create? Who can say
RTGs are awesome.
But pu238 is *over $2 million per kilogram*
But pu238 is *over $2 million per kilogram*
March 31, 2025 at 3:34 PM
RTGs are awesome.
But pu238 is *over $2 million per kilogram*
But pu238 is *over $2 million per kilogram*
The motivation would be to power missions that last into lunar night. Apollos 12-17 carried low-power RTGs for that reason.
Both the RTGs and higher power nuclear reactors flown in space so far have used thermoelectric blankets to produce electricity; to avoid needing turbines.
Both the RTGs and higher power nuclear reactors flown in space so far have used thermoelectric blankets to produce electricity; to avoid needing turbines.
August 5, 2025 at 1:12 AM
The motivation would be to power missions that last into lunar night. Apollos 12-17 carried low-power RTGs for that reason.
Both the RTGs and higher power nuclear reactors flown in space so far have used thermoelectric blankets to produce electricity; to avoid needing turbines.
Both the RTGs and higher power nuclear reactors flown in space so far have used thermoelectric blankets to produce electricity; to avoid needing turbines.
The Voyager probes are powered by RTGs, an incredibly reliable type of nuclear-powered generator, but nothing lasts forever! www.wired.com/story/the-en... 🧪🔭
The End Is Near for NASA’s Voyager Probes
The two probes have left the solar system and are still collecting data from the interstellar environment—but their atomic hearts are growing weaker and weaker.
www.wired.com
December 4, 2024 at 1:44 PM
The Voyager probes are powered by RTGs, an incredibly reliable type of nuclear-powered generator, but nothing lasts forever! www.wired.com/story/the-en... 🧪🔭