What characteristic makes RTGs ideal for long-duration missions like Voyager 1 and 2 or Cassini?
Answer
They provide continuous, uninterrupted power regardless of planetary shadows or distance from the Sun.
The defining operational advantage of Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTGs) is their inherent reliability derived from utilizing nuclear decay heat rather than external light sources. Because they generate energy internally through the decay of plutonium-238, their power output remains constant and steady. This immunity to external factors like entering a planet's shadow (occultation) or the extreme dimming caused by vast distance from the Sun is crucial for missions designed to operate continuously for many decades, ensuring critical command and control functions remain operational throughout the extended flight path.
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