• Pioneer Spacecraft Radio-Isotope Generator
    Download Image

    Two "Radio-Isotope Generators" (RTG), containing Plutonium, generated heat by radioactive decay, which in turn was converted into electricity.  The Pioneer spacecraft could not be powered by solar panels, as the distance from the Sun was too great. 

  • Pioneer Spacecraft Radio-Isotope Generator

Created:

2016

Photographer:

Eric Long

ID#:

NASM 2016-00091

Source:

Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum

Owner:

Smithsonian Institution

Rights Usage:

Contact Smithsonian Institution

Terms of Use:

Smithsonian Terms of Use

For print or commercial use please see permissions information.

Related Content

Pioneer 10/11

Object