Passage:
Radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) provide electrical power for spacecraft operating in deep space where solar radiation is insufficient. Unlike nuclear fission reactors that rely on a sustained chain reaction, RTGs generate thermal energy solely through the spontaneous radioactive decay of plutonium-238. This heat is converted directly into electricity across solid-state thermocouples using the Seebeck effect. Because RTGs contain no moving mechanical components, they demonstrate remarkable longevity and require no operational lubrication. Nevertheless, the total power output inevitably decreases over time as a result of both fuel decay and the gradual thermal degradation of the thermoelectric junctions.
Statement: According to the passage, radioisotope thermoelectric generators maintain heat production by utilizing a continuous nuclear fission chain reaction.
Answer: Answer