Quantum RTG

QUANTUM—THE NEXT GIANT LEAP

The Quantum RTG is Orion Technologies’ answer to deep space power. Engineered into the most advanced radioisotopic power source ever, Quantum will power, and empower, the future of space exploration.

The Quantum RTG was designed to assess the worldwide plutonium-238 shortage. Pu-238 has been the go-to choice for RTG fuel for decades. However, since 2010, Pu-238 production has been halted, resulting in the final RTG(so far) being manufactured for the Mars 2020 mission. While American Pu-238 production has resumed, it is at a significantly slower rate. Orion Technologies has plans for up to 200 Solar System Exploration Spacecraft, many of which require the use of 1 or more RTGs. Additionally, the Pu-238 fueled and thermocouple-based RTGs are not suitable for some crucial missions planned, due to lifespan and efficiency limitations. Due to these factors, our team of engineers and nuclear physicists set out to build the next generation of RTGs. The result: the Quantum, a cutting-edge, ultra-reliable, RTG with a massively improved lifespan.

SPECIFICATIONS

The Quantum RTG utilizes the nuclear fuel americinium-241 rather than the more traditional plutonium-238. Americinium’s major advantage over plutonium is its half-life. While Pu-238’s half-life is 87.7 years, Am-241’s half-life is 432 years, resulting in a much longer-lived RTG. Unlike the dwindling supply of Pu-238, Am-241 is in high supply. Am-241 is a by-product of nuclear fission, sourced from the nuclear waste material. Due to the large number of nuclear power plants around the world, Am-241 is highly abundant. The Quantum RTG utilizes 48 americinium dioxide pellets, organized into 12 GPHS modules. The Quantum RTG is a marvel of modern engineering, and therefore moves beyond the inefficiency and short-warranty of thermocouples. Instead, we decided to use Stirling-cycle generators, a far more efficient and reliable method of energy generation from radioactive decay heat. Stirling-cycle generators have shown reliability through decades of vacuum-chamber testing, and their warranty is significantly higher, losing only about 1% efficiency per decade(as compared to 7% per year loss for thermocouples). The use of Stirling-cycle generators also accounts for americinium’s lower power generation, as Am-241 is only 40% as powerful per gram when compared to Pu-238. But, while even using less fuel pellets, the RTG still tops its output at 250W. Using both Am-241 and Stirling generators mean that the Quantum’s lifespan is 70+ years. Compare that to the 14 years for traditional RTGs. Due to this, even 100 years after launch, a single Quantum RTG will still produce about 191W of power, down from 250W. This allows for some truly remarkable and long-lasting missions into deep space, such as the “Voyager on Steroids.”

In conclusion, the Quantum RTG is truly the next giant leap. It will power the next generation of spacecraft built to explore the solar system, and even beyond.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE

Remove the red text, and then point at Command Chip in base. Create a subassembly, and attach to desired craft via the invisible disc at base. Does actually generate power, about 250W.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Credit for example crafts in images:
Thanks to @kilovolt423 for his Cassini-Huygens spacecraft(3 Quantum RTGs).
Thanks to @VoidAerospace for their VORTEX spacecraft(did modify a bit into an Io mission, 1Quantum RTG).
Thanks to @PeriodicAerospace for their Forerunner 1 probe(1 Quantum RTG).

If you wish to use the Quantum RTG on a craft for a post or for media, we would appreciate it if you gave credit to Orion Technologies.