RTGs power many space missions — including NASA's Cassini and New Horizons probes — as the slow decay of small pellets of radioactive material produces heat that can be turned into electricity.

RTG已为许多太空任务提供动力，包括美国宇航局的“卡西尼号”和“新视野”探测器。在放射性物质的小球衰退过程中可以产生出热量，从而将其转化为电能。

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The control rods are also used to shut the reactor down from 100% power to about 7% power (residual or decay heat).

它也用来关闭反应器，可以从100%的动力降到7%动力（残留的延迟的热量造成）。

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A variety of chemical batteries have been tried, as well as inductive recharging schemes and even plutonium power cells that convert the heat from radioactive decay into electricity.

尝试了各种化学电池以及感应充电计划，甚至是将放射衰变的热能转换为电能的钚电源单元格。

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If the cooling system were to lose power during the initial decay period of 24 to 48 hours, a meltdown would likely follow.

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The tsunami destroyed the diesel generators that provide power to drive the pumps that circulate the water coolant through the reactor that removes decay heat.

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If the offcuts weren't fed into power stations, they would be burned as waste or left on the ground to decay, producing methane and CO2.

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