Idaho National Laboratory Assembles, Tests Power System for NASA’s Dragonfly Mission
The Idaho National Laboratory (INL) in Idaho Falls is contributing to NASA's Dragonfly mission by assembling and testing a radioisotope power system. This mission is set to launch in July 2028 towards Saturn's moon Titan to investigate its habitability.
Boise, ID, September 29, 2026 —
The Idaho National Laboratory (INL), located in Idaho Falls, is playing a crucial role in NASA’s ambitious Dragonfly mission by undertaking the assembly and testing of a vital radioisotope power system. This system will provide the necessary energy for the Dragonfly spacecraft during its long journey and operations on Saturn’s moon, Titan.
The Dragonfly mission is slated for launch in July 2028, with its destination being Titan, a large moon of Saturn known for its dense atmosphere and liquid methane lakes. The primary objective of the mission is to investigate the habitability of Titan, exploring its organic chemistry and potential for life.
INL’s contribution involves the intricate process of assembling and rigorously testing the radioisotope power system. While specific details regarding the system’s components and the precise nature of the testing protocols were not provided, such power systems typically utilize the heat generated from the decay of radioisotopes to produce electricity. This technology is essential for deep space missions where solar power is not viable due to distance from the sun or atmospheric conditions.
The work at the Idaho National Laboratory underscores the facility’s expertise in handling and utilizing nuclear materials for scientific and energy production purposes. The successful assembly and validation of the power system are critical steps in ensuring the reliability and success of the Dragonfly mission. The contractor’s name for specific assembly or testing phases was not provided. The exact timeline for INL’s assembly and testing process is also not detailed in the information available.
Following its launch in 2028, the Dragonfly spacecraft is expected to explore multiple locations on Titan, flying like a rotorcraft to study its surface and atmosphere. The power system assembled and tested by INL will be instrumental in sustaining the spacecraft’s operations throughout its multi-year mission, enabling groundbreaking scientific research on this unique extraterrestrial world. Further details on specific technical challenges or outcomes from the assembly and testing phase were not disclosed.
Story summarized from the original created by Ryan Dickstein on www.kivitv.com, see more information here.
