Filter News
Area of Research
- (-) Nuclear Science and Technology (3)
- Biology and Environment (40)
- Biology and Soft Matter (1)
- Clean Energy (74)
- Climate and Environmental Systems (1)
- Computer Science (1)
- Fusion and Fission (5)
- Isotope Development and Production (1)
- Isotopes (4)
- Materials (33)
- Materials for Computing (6)
- National Security (8)
- Neutron Science (8)
- Supercomputing (46)
News Topics
- (-) Space Exploration (3)
- 3-D Printing/Advanced Manufacturing (4)
- Advanced Reactors (6)
- Bioenergy (1)
- Biomedical (1)
- Computer Science (2)
- Coronavirus (1)
- Decarbonization (1)
- Fusion (7)
- Isotopes (4)
- Materials Science (3)
- Molten Salt (1)
- Neutron Science (2)
- Nuclear Energy (23)
- Physics (2)
- Sustainable Energy (1)
- Transformational Challenge Reactor (3)
Media Contacts
![A selfie from the Curiosity rover as it explores the surface of Mars. Like many spacecraft, Curiosity uses a radioisotope power system to help fuel its mission. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/2020-09/Curiousity_1.jpg?h=86a9dded&itok=Jo0vD321)
Radioactive isotopes power some of NASA’s best-known spacecraft. But predicting how radiation emitted from these isotopes might affect nearby materials is tricky
![Pu-238 pellet drawing](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/2020-07/Plutonium_Illustration_Blur.png?h=b6236d98&itok=wvSAbP64)
After its long journey to Mars beginning this summer, NASA’s Perseverance rover will be powered across the planet’s surface in part by plutonium produced at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
![By producing 50 grams of plutonium-238, Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers have demonstrated the nation’s ability to provide a valuable energy source for deep space missions. By producing 50 grams of plutonium-238, Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers have demonstrated the nation’s ability to provide a valuable energy source for deep space missions.](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/front_page_slide_assets/2015-P07524.jpg?itok=MEy22Na3)
With the production of 50 grams of plutonium-238, researchers at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory have restored a U.S. capability dormant for nearly 30 years and set the course to provide power for NASA and other missions.