UK teams with Korea on space battery design

The organisations have agreed to cooperate on research on radioisotope thermoelectric power generators for use in space exploration. Development of these technologies will allow space missions that can reach distant, cold, dark and inhospitable environments.

The partners have also signed up to developing international standards and safety associated with the systems.

Lunar lift-off

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Thermoelectric material converts waste heat into electricity

Leicester University and National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) are leading the development of radioisotope thermoelectric generators and heater units as part of a European Space Agency programme, in collaboration with a host of industry and academic partners in the UK, France and Germany.

Prof Iain Gillespie, Leicester University's pro-vice-chancellor of research and engineering, said: "Missions using nuclear power offer greater versatility in challenging environments. In many cases nuclear systems can enable missions that would otherwise be impossible.”