Episode 436: 355: The Problem of Power in Space. NASA's New Kilopower Reactor

Space is the worst. It’s got hostile radiation, a total lack of atmosphere, near absolute zero temperatures, problematic gravity wells, and worse. In order to keep your spacecraft alive in that environment, you need electricity to keep it warm. Not to mention all the power to run scientific instruments and the transmitters to send that data home. Getting enough power in space is a big problem.