Market analysis and sizing: Radioisotopes for space exploration

This project further affirmed Damona’s capabilities in covering the wide-ranging applications of nuclear-related technologies. Radioisotopes are synthetic (non-naturally occurring) atoms whose decay naturally produces heat— from a process known as radioactive decay.

The first radioisotopes were discovered in the United States during the Manhattan Project, during which atoms were split and humans, in effect, began “playing god,” reshaping the elements found in nature. Generating power is particularly challenging in remote areas such as the Arctic, Siberia, or the deep ocean floor. Batteries have limited lifespans and degrade over time.

During the Cold War—when solar panels were neither as efficient nor as advanced as they are today—and with a surplus of radioisotopes stemming from the vast nuclear weapons arsenals of both superpowers, a technology called Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS) emerged. This technology uses the heat produced by the decay of radioisotopes such as:

• Plutonium-238 (Pu-238) – the most commonly used for space applications,
• Strontium-90 (Sr-90) – widely used during the Cold War, especially for terrestrial applications,
• Americium-241 (Am-241) – not yet used in RPS but increasingly considered worldwide due to its lower cost and easier handling compared to Pu-238.

Other isotopes, like Polonium-210 and Curium-242, were also trialled or used in early systems, though they never became mainstream.

With the end of the Cold War, interest in RPS technology waned, and solar panels became the dominant power source for space missions due to their efficiency, long operational lifespan, and proven reliability.

However, as humanity sets its sights deeper into space, RPS is making a comeback. For example, the Moon experiences 14-day-long nights with extremely cold temperatures, making long-duration missions difficult using the conventional solar panel and battery combination. In such conditions, RPS offers a highly advantageous solution.

The main challenge lies in the relatively low efficiency of converting heat to electricity, and the fact that the energy harvested from a given mass of radioisotope depends heavily on the specific isotope used. This raises several questions:
Is there a market for these hard-to-produce, expensive, non-natural atoms? For which applications? In what quantities? And which radioisotopes are best suited?

Damona also analysed current worldwide production and demand. More than just a project, this study gave us perspective on humanity’s potential to fully and permanently establish a presence in space.

Date: 20th January 2025