Aiken in Aiken County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Plutonium-238 for Space Exploration
Savannah River Site
Aiken, South Carolina
| | National Historic Chemical Landmark | |
Photographed by Tom Bosse, December 31, 2023
1. Plutonium-238 for Space Exploration Marker
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. It is at the intersection of Laurens Street Southwest and Hoods Lane Southwest, on the right when traveling north on Laurens Street Southwest. The marker stands in front of the Savannah
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Augusta and in the Midlands. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
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); The Cold War and Civil Defense in the Atomic Age (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); What's Inside? (about 400 feet away); The 97% to Survive (about 400 feet away); 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). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Aiken.
Also see . . . Savannah River Site Museum. (Submitted on January 26, 2023.)
Photographed by Michael Baker
2. Plutonium-238 for Space Exploration Marker
Photographed by Michael Baker
3. Plutonium-238 for Space Exploration Marker
Photographed by Tom Bosse, December 31, 2023
4. Plutonium-238 for Space Exploration Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on January 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 26, 2023, by Michael Baker of Lima, Ohio. This page has been viewed 480 times since then and 15 times this year. Last updated on January 27, 2023, by Michael Baker of Lima, Ohio. Photos: 1. submitted on January 8, 2024, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. 2, 3. submitted on January 26, 2023, by Michael Baker of Lima, Ohio. 4. submitted on January 8, 2024, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
