Plutonium Dioxide
Plutonium dioxide is a radioactive compound that is used as a fuel in radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) for space missions. It is a ceramic material that is highly resistant to corrosion and can withstand high temperatures. Plutonium dioxide is produced by irradiating plutonium-239 in a nuclear reactor, which converts it into plutonium-240. The plutonium-240 is then chemically separated from the plutonium-239 and processed into a powder form. The powder is then pressed into pellets, which are encapsulated in a protective shell and used as fuel in RTGs. Plutonium dioxide has been used in a number of space missions, including the Voyager, Pioneer, and Cassini spacecraft.
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