Pyrotechnically powered thermoelectric generator

[Nothalogh]

Most of us have attempted to reenter an unpowered command pod or solar powered lander lander on the night side.

So I was contemplating a rather kerbalized solution the other day, rip the plutonium out of an RTG and fill it with a moderately slow burning pyrotechnic charge, it'd be like a small SRB that produces power instead of thrust.

Is this even an advisable solution?

[waterlubber]

Most of us have attempted to reenter an unpowered command pod or solar powered lander lander on the night side.

So I was contemplating a rather kerbalized solution the other day, rip the plutonium out of an RTG and fill it with a moderately slow burning pyrotechnic charge, it'd be like a small SRB that produces power instead of thrust.

Is this even an advisable solution?

Given the inefficiencies of thermocouples, I don't think so. You need really high temperature gradients to produce enough power, and nuclear is the only thing with really enough energy density. Fuel cells would be better.

[SciMan]

There is a type of device that uses heat supplied by a pyrotechnic mix to supply electricity.

The energy from the pyrotechnic device isn't converted to electricity, it's used to heat the solid electrolyte of a molten-salt battery until the electrolyte melts, which activates the battery. When the electrolyte cools and solidifies again, the battery is no longer capable of producing electricity.

Wikipedia link if you're interested

Edited September 2, 2015 by SciMan