Next Generation Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (Next Gen RTG)

The Next Gen RTG Mod 1 Project, under NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, as part of the Space Science Project Office is funded by NASA's Science Mission Directorate, Planetary Science Division's Radioisotope Power Systems Program. The Next Gen RTG Mod 1 Project seeks to regain access to deep space destinations by providing NASA with a vacuum-rated radioisotope thermoelectric generator by re-establishing the production line of the legacy General Purpose Heat Source Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (GPHS-RTG). The Project works in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and its national laboratory, the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) to complete this charge. DOE and INL have contracted the re-establishment effort of the production line to Aerojet Rocketdyne (AR) an L3Harris Technologies, Inc. corporation. Utilizing the GPHS-RTG design and prints, AR is working to re-establish silicon-germanium (SiGe) based thermoelectric unicouples under contract with Teledyne Energy Systems, Inc. (TESI), while AR works to re-establish the remainder of the hardware for the RTG. In Phase 2 of the project, AR along with their subcontractors are going through an iterative process of ensuring the SiGe material meets heritage specifications and requirements. Fulfilling the requirement of using Step 2 GPHS fuel modules, only 16 modules will fit in the Next Gen RTG Mod 1, as opposed to using 18 Step 1 GPHS modules used in the legacy GPHS-RTG. AR is utilizing the original GPHS-RTG blueprints to bring the Next Gen RTG Mod 1 as close to the heritage prints as possible while only making necessary modifications to incorporate Step 2 GPHS modules. Once the production line has been re-established, the Project will put in place a contract mechanism to allow for subsequent purchases of the Next Gen RTG Mod 1.

Re-establishing the GPHS-RTG production line under the Next Gen RTG Mod 1 Project will enable mission developers to plan longer duration missions and allow the space science community to explore more of the solar system and beyond. RTGs have been powering deep space missions for over six decades. Relying on a proven technology that has enabled several NASA missions is the fastest, safest way to provide mission users a reliable deep space, vacuum-rated, power source.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.