As humanity ventures further into the cosmos, the challenge of powering spacecraft in distant, sunless corners of the solar system has always been a looming issue. Now, a new breakthrough from Japan could change the trajectory of space exploration forever. The Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) is developing a revolutionary nuclear battery that could keep space probes powered for more than a century, without relying on solar panels or fuel cells, reports Japan Times.
Harnessing Americium for Deep Space Missions
The JAEA’s project focuses on utilizing americium, a radioactive waste product, to generate electricity for space probes. Unlike solar power, which is unreliable in deep space or in regions where the sun’s rays are blocked, this new technology promises a steady and long-lasting energy source.
The battery is expected to operate on the decay heat from americium, a material that produces heat as it naturally decays. This innovative power source could allow probes to continue their missions for decades or even centuries, enabling exploration in areas where solar panels cannot function.
The project is being led by the JAEA, in collaboration with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST). They are aiming to complete a prototype by early 2029.
The collaboration marks a significant step forward in providing an alternative power source for long-duration space missions, especially in regions far from the Sun, such as asteroids, distant planets, or the moon’s dark side.
Why Choose Americium?
Americium has advantages over other radioactive elements like plutonium, which has historically been used in space missions. While plutonium has been a reliable source of power for deep space probes, it is highly regulated, with strict legal restrictions on handling and transport. In contrast, americium offers a practical solution with fewer legal and safety challenges, making it a more feasible choice for Japan’s ambitious project.
Despite producing less heat than plutonium, americium’s decay heat is still sufficient to power communication devices and scientific instruments for long-term space missions. “Americium batteries, if they reach practical use, could provide almost permanent power for space probes,” said Masahide Takano, a senior researcher at the JAEA’s NXR Development Center.
This extended power supply could keep probes operational long after solar-powered options would fail, making it ideal for missions that explore the most remote areas of space.
Testing Americium’s Potential
The JAEA has already made strides in proving americium’s potential by using it to power light-emitting diode (LED) lights. This test demonstrated that americium’s decay heat could indeed be harnessed for reliable power generation.
Additionally, the JAEA has devised a method for securing the americium. They plan to encapsulate it in pellets that are mixed with additives and enclosed in metal pins. This process is designed to ensure that americium remains safely contained, even in the event of an explosion during a rocket launch.
The goal is to make the battery compact, lightweight, and durable enough to withstand the extreme conditions of space, such as temperature fluctuations and the vacuum of outer space. With the development of this battery, Japan hopes to provide a new power solution for missions to areas that solar panels cannot reach.
