SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket will carry the Dragonfly spacecraft equipped with a radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG) powered by plutonium-238. This radioactive material will provide the energy needed for the rotorcraft probe to operate autonomously in Titan’s dense nitrogen-methane atmosphere, where sunlight is too scarce to power solar panels.
The Dragonfly mission marks SpaceX’s first-ever launch involving radioactive material. The company has assured that any unforeseen accidents, such as an oceanic crash, would not result in the release of radioactive plutonium. Falcon Heavy underwent rigorous additional safety checks, and its flawless track record—11 successful launches out of 11—further instills confidence.
The Dragonfly probe’s journey to Saturn’s moon Titan is scheduled to begin in July 2028.
