Anybody got a tube for the Telstar satellite?

[JB5pro]

It likely has a weak one or two. (I am soo funny... too me )
I watched a bit of a special that mentioned it had tubes? Is that true? They had transistors then, so, I think not or mabe just one tube for some sensitive application? Was that device nuclear powered? How else could it hold power so long?
Maybe nuclear is the wrong term. I saw an episode of a show I love: "I've Got A Secret" inwhich a man brought a basketball size round thing that he operated to power a lightbulb and he claimed it would do so for like 8 years? I think it had plutonium? It had something I expect is dangerous and could mess up reproductive matters at the very least. I thought I can't believe people are allowed close to it. I hope he never had kids after that.
What happened to Telstar? I think they said it operated until recently. I guess it just drifted into space? I hope aliens do not find it and steal more of our secrets!