Aiken in Aiken County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Plutonium-238 for Space Exploration
— National Historic Chemical Landmark —
Photographed By Michael Baker
1. Plutonium-238 for Space Exploration Marker
Savannah River Site
Aiken, South Carolina
Space voyages are among the most inspiring and iconic endeavors of the 20th century, yet practical realities have limited spacefaring ambitions. Providing electricity and heat to a spacecraft in flight is challenging, given the vast distances and intense cold of space. Beginning in 1960, the Savannah River Site (SRS) helped meet this challenge by making plutonium-238 to fuel radiosiotope thermoelectric generators aboard spacecraft. These nuclear batteries power and warm the spacecraft and the research instruments they carry, enabling exploration of deep space. SRS produced nearly all the plutonium-238 for every mission that has relied on these batteries. Together, the technologies represent a peaceful application of radioactive materials.
Erected 2018 by American Chemical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Exploration • Peace • Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1960.
Location. 33° 33.525′ N, 81° 43.412′ W. Marker is in Aiken, South Carolina, in Aiken County. Marker is at the intersection of Laurens Street SW and Hoods Lane SW, on the right when traveling north on Laurens Street SW.
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Dibble Memorial Library (here, next to this marker); Legare-Morgan House (within shouting distance of this marker); Fallout Shelter (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); South Carolina Canal & Rail Road Company (about 400 feet away); Fred B. Cavanaugh (about 400 feet away); Woodmen Of The World (about 400 feet away); The S.C. Railroad (about 400 feet away); Aiken (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Aiken.
Also see . . . Savannah River Site Museum. (Submitted on January 26, 2023.)
Photographed By Tom Bosse, December 31, 2023
2. Plutonium-238 for Space Exploration Marker
Photographed By Michael Baker
3. Plutonium-238 for Space Exploration Marker
Photographed By Michael Baker
4. Plutonium-238 for Space Exploration Marker
Photographed By Tom Bosse, December 31, 2023
5. Plutonium-238 for Space Exploration Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on January 9, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 26, 2023, by Michael Baker of Lima, Ohio. This page has been viewed 150 times since then and 26 times this year. Last updated on January 27, 2023, by Michael Baker of Lima, Ohio. Photos: 1. submitted on January 26, 2023, by Michael Baker of Lima, Ohio. 2. submitted on January 8, 2024, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. 3, 4. submitted on January 26, 2023, by Michael Baker of Lima, Ohio. 5. submitted on January 8, 2024, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
