![Will plutonium batteries ever be useful for anything more than scientific missions to other planets and military use? With a half life of 87 years you'd think it'd be useful for some Will plutonium batteries ever be useful for anything more than scientific missions to other planets and military use? With a half life of 87 years you'd think it'd be useful for some](https://qph.cf2.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-dbdf868cb6fe545e23cfde416671a10b.webp)
Will plutonium batteries ever be useful for anything more than scientific missions to other planets and military use? With a half life of 87 years you'd think it'd be useful for some
![Curiosity's 4.8 kg of Plutonium-238 dioxide glowing its graphite container red hot. Heat given off by the decay of this isotope is converted into electric voltage by thermocouples, providing constant power during Curiosity's 4.8 kg of Plutonium-238 dioxide glowing its graphite container red hot. Heat given off by the decay of this isotope is converted into electric voltage by thermocouples, providing constant power during](https://external-preview.redd.it/iPlTqsgviBaAT8OEBabQ7uO5JImVxHt9it3a9xCiElg.jpg?auto=webp&s=434173e1cf48b78b868e10dffd8c754ee7d53c2f)
Curiosity's 4.8 kg of Plutonium-238 dioxide glowing its graphite container red hot. Heat given off by the decay of this isotope is converted into electric voltage by thermocouples, providing constant power during
![Need a really long-life battery or heat? Try a radioisotope thermal source – problem solved! – Part 3 - Power Electronic Tips Need a really long-life battery or heat? Try a radioisotope thermal source – problem solved! – Part 3 - Power Electronic Tips](http://large.stanford.edu/courses/2013/ph241/jiang1/images/f2big.jpg)