Reactor
In space and astronautical engineering, a reactor is a device that uses nuclear reactions to generate power. Nuclear reactors are used to power spacecraft, such as satellites and probes, as well as to provide electricity and heat for human habitats in space. The most common type of reactor used in space is the radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG), which uses the heat generated by the decay of radioactive isotopes to produce electricity. Another type of reactor that has been proposed for space applications is the nuclear fission reactor, which uses the energy released by splitting atoms to generate power. Nuclear reactors are attractive for space applications because they can provide a high power density and long operating life, which is important for missions that require a lot of power or that operate in environments where solar power is not feasible.
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