Physical Sciences at ORNL’s Post

Exploration of #Mars and other #space missions would not be possible without #welding technology developed and perfected at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The Mars rovers used by NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration are powered by plutonium-238 fuel pellets, a #radioactive #isotope that provides working electricity for the vehicles. However, Pu-238 also generates extreme heat, easily reaching 2400 degrees Fahrenheit, which would melt any conventional material used to contain the pellets. ORNL’s Radioisotope Power Systems Program solves this problem by using highly specialized welding to fabricate fuel capsules out of #iridium, an extremely durable metal with a melting point of more than 4,000 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the first of a series of stories highlighting ORNL's contributions to the field during the American Welding Society's #NationalWeldingMonth. #NWM2025 🔗 Find out more: https://bit.ly/3tRm0jS