US lab uses lasers, heat to map neptunium for producing deep-space nuclear fuel

Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) are studying neptunium, a rare radioactive element.

It serves as the primary building block for the plutonium-238 used to power long-range spacecraft.

This work is vital for deep-space exploration, as Pu-238 powers the Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTGs) used in missions such as NASA’s Perseverance Rover.

RTGs transform the heat from decaying matter into electrical power for spacecraft.