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Completed TRL 3 (started at 2, targeting 3)
Tritium or hydrogen three is a radioactive isotope of hydrogen that emits beta particles as it undergoes beta decay. A beta particle is a high energy, high speed electron (or positron) emitted from radioactive decay of an atomic nucleus. Because it is a gas, tritium must be encapsulated in a sealed glass container. The combination of contained tritium gas and a phosphor is referred to as a gaseous tritium light source (GTLS). A GTLS provides a sustainable light source, requiring no electrical energy which on average provides light for 10 to 20 years. The light will only diminish by half the initial brightness after 12.32 years– the half-life of tritium.
A radioluminescent tritium polymer capable of surviving multiple space environments could fulfill visibility requirements levied on space flight hardware and facilitate additional long term internal and external lighting needs for each mission.
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