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Initial concept for nuke-powered rocket propulsion system completed — Roscosmos CEO

Dmitry Bakanov noted that research in the field of nuclear rocket engines is ongoing

MOSCOW, April 1. /TASS/. The preliminary design for the Nuklon nuclear-powered propulsion system has been completed, Dmitry Bakanov, CEO of the Roscosmos State Space Corporation, said at a meeting of the Federation Council upper house of parliament.

"In 2026, we will continue research in the field of nuclear rocket engines, using the existing scientific background and the expertise of the Kurchatov Institute and Rosatom structures. Its use will reduce the duration of flights to distant planets. We are laying the groundwork for deep space exploration. The preliminary design for a space system based on the Nuklon nuclear-powered propulsion system for solving space problems requiring high energy has been completed," the state corporation CEO said.

The contract for the development of the Nuklon preliminary design, as part of the Zeus nuclear tug project for deep-space missions, was signed in December 2020 between Roscosmos and the Arsenal Design Bureau (part of the state corporation). The contract was valued at over 4.17 billion rubles ($51.964 million). The Space Research Institute (IKI) of the Russian Academy of Sciences is developing the scientific mission.