Japan is developing a groundbreaking nuclear battery that could revolutionize space exploration. This compact power source, designed to last over 100 years, uses americium's decay heat to generate electricity, making it ideal for space missions where solar energy is scarce or unavailable.

*Key Features:*

- *Long-lasting power*: The battery is designed to provide "almost permanent" energy to space probes, enabling them to operate for extended periods in deep space.

- *Americium-based*: The battery uses americium, a radioactive element created from the decay of plutonium, which offers several advantages, including reduced regulatory hurdles.

- *Safe and efficient*: The Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) has developed a technique for safely containing americium in metal pins, ensuring secure handling during space missions ¹.

*Potential Applications:*

- *Deep space missions*: The nuclear battery could power missions to distant planets, asteroids, and the far reaches of the Moon, where solar energy is limited.

- *Space exploration*: This technology holds immense potential for expanding human exploration and enabling spacecraft to venture further into the universe.

- *Reliable power source*: The battery could provide a reliable source of energy for communication devices and sensors on space probes ².

*Development and Collaboration:*

- *Collaborative effort*: The project involves