What power source was utilized by the US Navy's Transit 4A satellite launched in 1961?

Answer

A Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (RTG) based on isotopic decay

The Transit 4A satellite holds the distinction of being the first spacecraft to successfully use any nuclear power source, which was achieved via a Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (RTG). An RTG operates by converting the heat generated from the natural, spontaneous decay of a radioactive isotope into electrical energy. This process is inherently passive, meaning the decay rate cannot be altered by external means, providing steady, continuous electrical current. This contrasts sharply with the active control mechanism utilized by a nuclear fission reactor, which relies on a chain reaction. Furthermore, the text explicitly states that traditional solar arrays were unreliable when in shadow, and batteries lacked the necessary longevity for long-duration missions, establishing the necessity for the RTG system deployed on Transit 4A.

What power source was utilized by the US Navy's Transit 4A satellite launched in 1961?

Related Questions

What power source was utilized by the US Navy's Transit 4A satellite launched in 1961?What was the approximate electrical power output generated by the SNAP-10A fission reactor during its operational test in 1965?Which specific radioactive material served as the fuel source for the SNAP device aboard the Transit 4A satellite?What fundamental operational difference exists between the RTG on Transit 4A and the SNAP-10A fission reactor regarding control?What was the primary technological role or mission objective of the SNAP-10A flight in 1965?Which issue made traditional solar arrays unsuitable for long-term navigation and deep-space probes?What event is considered the starting point for 60 years of nuclear power usage in spacecraft, according to the text?How did the engineering complexity and resource demands of the SNAP-10A fission system compare to the RTG used on Transit 4A?What characteristic defines the lifespan potential of RTG technology, as exemplified by the Transit 4A power unit?What critical safety feature was designed into the SNAP-10A reactor system before its operation ended after 43 minutes?
SpacetechnologyfirstsatelliteNuclear power