For the first time 30 years, federal scientists have produced plutonium-238.

Researchers at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory were able to make 50 grams of the radioactive isotope.

Unlike other isotopes, plutonium-238 is rather stable and doesn't emit significant amounts of dangerous radiation, making it suitable for a variety of scientific applications, including thermal power generation.

As plutonium-238 decays, it gives off heat, which can be harnessed to power spacecraft instruments. If the latest production turns out to be pure and safe, NASA will likely utilize the 50 grams on future space missions.

Researchers hadn't used Oak Ridge facilities to make plutonium since the 1980s. They're now working to scale up their production capabilities.

"Once we automate and scale up the process, the nation will have a long-range capability to produce radioisotope power systems such as those used by NASA for deep space exploration," Bob Wham, who is heading up the lab's renewed plutonium production project, said in a press release.

Currently, NASA is in possession of 77 pounds of plutonium-238, only about half of which is suitable for the space agency's needs -- enough to power missions over the next decade. But NASA has big plans for the future, including both manned and unmanned missions to Mars and beyond.

Eventually, engineers will need more of the isotope. And the Department of Energy is heeding the call.

"With this initial production of plutonium-238 oxide, we have demonstrated that our process works and we are ready to move on to the next phase of the mission," Wham said.