>Deep space satellites (at least Pioneer) use simple solid

>state nuclear heated peltier devices for power.



any satellites that go beyond earths orbit from the sun use some form of
nuclear powered power source, as the output from solar cells is just too
low. About the only items that do not have nuclear power sources are the
Mars Rover vehicles, which do have solar cells, but are also in a position
where they can be left in a very low power mode for lengthy periods of time
to recharge the batteries. Any orbiting spacecraft tends to be powered on
all the time, so does not get the recharge periods, as the scientists back
on earth don't want to miss any data scans of planet surfaces, as it may be
quite some time before the orbit goes over that spot again, and then it may
be "on the dark side" away from the sun.

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