What powered the first nuclear deployment aboard the US Navy satellite Transit 4A in 1961?
Answer
A compact, long-lasting Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (RTG)
The inaugural deployment of nuclear power in space occurred in June 1961 aboard the US Navy navigation satellite, Transit 4A. This system utilized a Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (RTG). An RTG is a device that converts the steady heat generated by the natural radioactive decay of a radioisotope, specifically plutonium-238 in many deep space applications, directly into electrical power using thermocouples. This technology was chosen because it provides continuous, autonomous power independent of sunlight, which is crucial for operating far from the Sun's influence, thereby establishing a fundamental principle for long-duration space missions.
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