A new study will raise from a valid concept to a proof of concept experiment. Nuclear-micropowered probes could be used for autonomous exploration of the Moon's permanently shadowed regions (PSRs) and other space missions.

Tritium betavoltaics are a class of nuclear batteries that convert the beta decay energy of tritium (a radioactive hydrogen isotope with a 12.3-year half-life) directly into electricity via semiconductor junctions. They are like photovoltaic cells but powered by radiation rather than light. These devices are particularly appealing for long-duration, low-power applications in harsh environments, such as NASA space missions, where traditional batteries fail due to temperature extremes, radiation, or lack of sunlight

They will create a roadmap for further maturation toward TRL 4 and beyond, supporting NASA's mission for lunar and planetary exploration.

Microwatt batteries are power cells that output a charge typically measured in microwatts. They can supply a variety of charges based on their power. Low-power models output single-digit microwatts, and high-power models can supply burst charges in the milliwatt range. Microwatt batteries often power smaller devices due to their small and compact structure.

Nanowatt batteries supply electricity within the nanowatt range and can power a variety of devices. City Labs has developed betavoltaic tritium batteries to power devices in the nano-microwatt range with milliwatt burst capabilities. Nanowatt batteries feature a variety of benefits including long-term power sources and increased sustainability.