The conversation between human and AI assistant.
How does radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG, RITEG) work shown in The Martian movie?
Is RTG technology commonly used in space exploration?
Yes, RTGs have been used in many space missions, including the Voyager 1 and 2 probes, the Mars Curiosity rover, and the New Horizons mission to Pluto. They are preferred over solar panels in deep space missions because they can continue to generate power even when there is little or no sunlight.