RTGs are still used for outer solar system missions. Not enough light for solar panels. Hell, even the Perseverance Mars rover, which was launched in 2020, has an RTG.
Comment on Voyager 1 stops communicating with Earth
MeanEYE@lemmy.world 9 months agoIdeally it was an update issue and it’s fixable. However I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a hardware failure due to radiation or something similar. That said, Voyager1 has power only until 2025 or so, since RTGs are designed to last that much. So even if the issue is fixed, its life will only expand by few years. Also, the fact it relies on nuclear power means none of the new stuff will last as long since they stopped using them some time ago due to fear from nuclear energy.
elbrar@pawb.social 9 months ago
MeanEYE@lemmy.world 9 months ago
Hm, didn’t know about those. Good to hear. RTGs are such a great technology.
postmateDumbass@lemmy.world 9 months ago
God forbid we pollute the far reaches of space with radiation. (sic.)
MeanEYE@lemmy.world 9 months ago
Am thinking people were mostly worried if rocket explodes during liftoff. Then again people also are completely clueless about radiation in general, especially smokers.
MrShankles@reddthat.com 9 months ago
As a smoker: I’m not clueless, I just don’t love myself more than the addiction. But I’m getting there, cause breathing “easily” is an under-rated pleasure, when compared to… not breathing that well
It can take time to break the mental stuff before breaking the habit, regardless of understood risk
Now magnets though… I’m at a complete fucking loss
MeanEYE@lemmy.world 9 months ago
My point is that not many people know that tobacco contains lead-210 and polonium-210. This is why waping is safer, even though it still carries health risks it doesn’t have radioactive elements which deposit in your lungs. And it’s not a negligible amount of radiation. You’d be safer living next to Chernobyl plant before it was contained than smoking a pack a day. Do yourself a favor and switch to electronic stuff.
Meowoem@sh.itjust.works 9 months ago
One of the main people who raised concern about rockets full of nuclear material exploding above populated areas was mitchio kaku. He certainly has a good few clues about radiation and nuclear physics.