Russia to develop nuclear space engine

The Voice of Russia: Russia to develop nuclear space engine
Russia’s “Energia” Space Corporation has drawn up a project to develop a space module with a nuclear-powered propulsion system. This is designed to protect the Earth from dangerous asteroids and remove defunct satellites from the orbits. The high capacity nuclear-powered spacecraft can fly to the Moon from 20 to 30 days.

Experts say that it’s impossible to solve space exploration problems of the 21st century without nuclear-powered propulsion systems. Russia, which has developed over 30 nuclear reactors for satellites, is rightfully recognized as the leader in this area.

The new project of the “Energia” Corporation to build a nuclear-powered special pod will be an excellent idea to sweep up the near-earth space, especially the geosynchronous orbit, from satellite debris. The price of a point on the geosynchronous orbit, where a satellite is stationed, is estimated at 50 million U.S. dollars because a limited number of satellites can be put into this orbit, says an adviser to the president of the corporation, Victor Sinyavsky.

“At present, there are over 600 defunct satellites on the geosynchronous orbit, and they are occupying valuable places. These places can be cleaned up using a nuclear-powered propulsion system that can collect these satellites from the orbit and put them into a lower orbit to eventually sink them into the ocean,” says Victor Sinyavsky.

Moreover, “Energia Corporation believes that a special pod is also necessary to develop a system to protect the earth from asteroids or comets. A spacecraft of this system will detect asteroids that intercept the Earth’s orbit. The objects that pose a threat to the Earth should be neutralized, says Victor Sinyavsky.

“The most effective method could be the detonation of a nuclear bomb on the surface of the asteroid or under it. This will change the trajectory of the asteroid, which could be dangerous from the standpoint of it falling on the Earth,” Victor Sinyavsky said.

A high capacity nuclear-powered pod can be used to intercept a dangerous object. A project to develop a 500 kilowatt capacity nuclear-powered engine is estimated at 60 billion rubles or about 2 billion U.S. dollars. “Energia” Corporation hopes to start flight tests of a multi-purpose pod in 2020.

The nuclear-powered propulsion systems will be used to carry out manned space flights to the Moon and Mars in the near future. The most effective method to study these is to create settlements, enterprises and nuclear power stations. A nuclear power station of the capacity between 20 and 40 kilowatt will be the most suitable for a lunar base.

These stations can be assembled as modules if there is a need for more energy. The only thing the cosmonauts have to do to start these nuclear power stations is only to push a button. In short, the future of space exploration is in the hands of nuclear energy.