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The most commonly used radioactive fuel is Plutonium (Pu) 238, which is alpha active and produces a useful amount of thermal energy, without the need for much shielding. This material is produced from Neptunium 237, which is separated out from spent reactor fuel. The Pu238 is assembled with a thermocouple array to produce a small amount of electricity, and is widely used in satellites if solar panels are not viable. Pu 238 has a half life of 87 years, so can power applications where the mission lasts a long duration.

Other materials have been used, amongst them Strontium 90, but Pu238 is now the favourite. Wikipedia has entries giving more information-see 'Nuclear Fuel' section 8

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