Dwindling plutonium reserves could lead to end of deep space exploration within a decade

OUR exploration of deep space is powered by plutonium-238. It's an incredible fuel source, but our reserves have almost run out.

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DWINDLING reserves of plutonium-238 could lead to the end of deep space exploration within a decade.

Dave Mosher, writing for Wired, reports we've almost run out of the plutonium fuel that powers NASA's expeditions into space.

To be precise, just over 16 kilos of plutonium-238 remain in America's scientific stockpile.

"We've got enough to last to the end of this decade. That's it," nuclear chemist Steve Johnson told Wired.

One of the largest panoramic images ever taken with Hubble Space Telescope's cameras - this one's of the Carina Nebula. Photo: NASA

There are no viable alternatives to plutonium-powered space travel at the moment. Solar power is weak, chemical batteries are short-lived and nuclear fission systems weigh too much. So unless we make more plutonium fuel, deep space exploration will soon become impossible.

We have the ability to do so. Plutonium-238 no longer occurs naturally, but it can be created by humans.

Granted, the method of creation isn't always ideal. Mr Mosher says the fuel is largely acquired as a byproduct of making nuclear weapons. But it doesn't have to be that way.

Photo: AFP/NASA

The US government is spending $US10 million to "reconstitute production capabilities", and recently managed to produce a small amount of plutonium-238 inside a nuclear reactor.

America is clearly trying to replenish its fuel reserves. But the process costs a lot of money, and NASA is racing against the clock.

Read the full report at Wired.

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