The Problem of Power in Space. NASA's New Kilopower Reactor
Space is the worst. It’s got hostile radiation, a total lack of atmosphere, near absolute zero temperatures, problematic gravity wells, and worse.
In order to keep your spacecraft alive in that environment, you need electricity to keep it warm. Not to mention all the power to run scientific instruments and the transmitters to send that data home.
Getting enough power in space is a big problem.
Watch the video here:
Comments (2)
Just a quick correction Fraser ... you said ... "Eventually it's batteries will run out, it won't be able to keep itself warm enough on the bitterly cold Martian night and the rover will be lost for good." It won't be lost for good ... just until we go pick it up 😉
Time to start deciding which ones we are going to preserve for the museums of the future Mars colony, and which ones we'll pay the cost to ship back to Earth for the Smithsonian.