Enhanced Tritium Power Source for Autonomous Nuclear Tritium Sensors (ANTS)

This proposal outlines the development of a 100-microwatt tritium betavoltaic power source designed for long-duration autonomous sensor systems in space, building on prior successful demonstrations with the Self-Powered Imager (SPI) system. Utilizing tritium, a low-energy beta emitter with a half-life of 12.3 years, embedded in stable metal tritides (e.g., titanium or scandium), the power source generates electricity through solid-state beta decay energy conversion using III-V semiconductor junctions. The proposed system is housed in a hermetically sealed package to operate in the extreme conditions of Low Earth Orbit (LEO), withstanding factors such as helium outgassing and wide temperature fluctuations.The effort leverages results from prior Phase I and Phase II work, where City Labs’ NanoTritium™ technology successfully powered a Michigan Micro-Mote (M3) system for over three years without maintenance. The new development phase will focus on optimizing tritium loading, semiconductor efficiency, and system packaging to deliver a reliable, scalable ?100 µW output. This technology eliminates the need for traditional batteries or solar panels, offering a fault-tolerant power solution ideal for small satellites and distributed sensing platforms.The program includes the fabrication of betavoltaic cells, integration with tritium-loaded tritides, and rigorous performance and compliance testing under ANSI standards. The ultimate objective is to deliver a spaceflight-qualified power unit capable of energizing autonomous satellite sensors for 15+ years, aligning with Department of the Air Force objectives in Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) and Space Domain Awareness (SDA). Additionally, this technology supports U.S. leadership in space nuclear power systems and provides an alternative to foreign isotope-based systems.