This Tiny Nuclear Battery Could Unlock the Next Era of Space Exploration

What if a nuclear battery the size of a grain of rice could power critical sensors for decades—or help build the infrastructure needed to explore the Moon and Mars? In this episode of Energy Central’s Power Perspectives Podcast, host Molly Glick sits down with City Labs CEO Peter Cabauy to explore the emerging world of nuclear micropower. City Labs develops long-lasting betavoltaic power sources that generate electricity offering continuous power for applications where conventional batteries and solar energy can fall short. The conversation follows City Labs’ journey from an idea inspired by quantum physics to a major milestone: launching what the company calls the world’s first commercial nuclear-powered satellite aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-17 mission. Peter explains how betavoltaic technology works, why tiny amounts of continuous power can be valuable, and where City Labs sees opportunities—from sensors embedded across the power grid to pacemakers, lunar infrastructure, Mars exploration, and deep-space missions. He also discusses the regulatory and technical hurdles involved in bringing nuclear technology to space.