The Multihundred-Watt radioisotope thermoelectric generators (MHW RTG) is a type of US radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG) developed for the Voyager spacecrafts, Voyager 1 and Voyager 2.[1]

Radioisotope thermoelectric generators for the Voyager program.

Each RTG had a total weight of 37.7 kg including about 4.5 kg of Pu-238.[2] It uses 24 pressed plutonium-238 oxide spheres and provides enough heat to generate approximately 157 watts of electrical power initially - halving every 87.7 years.

Each RTG generated about 2400 Watts of thermal power.[3] Conversion of the decay heat of the plutonium to electrical power used 312 silicon-germanium (SiGe) thermoelectric couples. The initial thermoelectric couple hot junction temperature was 1273 K (1000 °C, 1832 °F) with a cold junction temperature of 573 K (300 °C, 572 °F).[4]

Each Voyager spacecraft has 3 RTGs. Collectively, the RTGs supplied each Voyager spacecraft with 470 watts at launch.[5][6]

MHW-RTGs were used on the Lincoln Experimental Satellites 8 and 9.

Subsequent US spacecraft used the GPHS-RTG which used similar SiGe thermoelectic devices but a different packaging of the fuel.

The MMRTG is a newer RTG type, used on the Curiosity rover.


  1. ^ Heacock (1980). "The Voyager Space Craft". Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. 194: 267–270. Archived from the original on 2014-03-31.
  2. ^ "Space Nuclear Power" G.L.Bennett 2006
  3. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2008-06-19. Retrieved 2012-10-19.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. ^ Furlong, Richard R.; Wahlquist, Earl J. (1999). "U.S. space missions using radioisotope power systems" (PDF). Nuclear News. 42 (4): 26–34. Retrieved January 2, 2011.
  5. ^ "VOYAGER 2:Host Information". NASA. 1989. Archived from the original on July 21, 2011. Retrieved January 2, 2011.
  6. ^ "Voyager 2 Craft Details". NASA-NSSDC-Spacecraft-Details. NASA. Retrieved March 9, 2011.

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