The Idaho National Laboratory eyes plutonium for powering spacecraft

The Idaho National Laboratory is waiting for a green light to begin producing plutonium that would supply battery power for NASA spacecraft.

Later this month the Department of Energy is expected to release an environmental study on a plan to consolidate plutonium-238 production across the nation at the Idaho site.

The project has other applications besides providing voltage on the far side of Mercury. The batteries could run surveillance equipment in more remote — but still earthly — locations where access may be limited for long periods of time.

Full Story: http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/space/2005-06-16-plutonium-in-space_x.htm