Why did missions like the Voyager probes rely on RTGs for power generation?
Answer
They needed reliable power in frigid darkness where solar energy barely registers
The necessity of using nuclear power sources like RTGs became paramount for missions venturing into the outer solar system, such as the Voyager probes launched in the late 1970s. As probes travel beyond the orbit of Mars, the intensity of solar radiation drops drastically. In the extremely cold, dark regions of the outer system, conventional solar cells become entirely impractical or ineffective. The RTG provided the necessary reliable, low-maintenance power output, typically measuring in a few hundred watts, sufficient for running essential onboard instruments, communication systems, and necessary heaters for decades.
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