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TEM (Russian: Транспортно-энергетический модуль, "transport and energy module\unit", NPPS in English) is an under development nuclear propulsion spacecraft with the intention to facilitate the transportation of large cargoes in deep space.[2] It will be constructed by the Russian Keldysh Research Center,[3] NIKIET (Research and Design Institute of Power Engineering) institute,[4] and Rosatom.
| Transport and Energy Module (TEM) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Generation | Generation IV |
| Reactor concept | Gas-cooled reactor (GCR) |
| Designed by | Keldysh Research Center Rosatom Roscosmos NIKIET institute |
| Manufactured by | Keldysh Research Center NIKIET institute |
| Status | Under development |
| Main parameters of the reactor core | |
| Fuel (fissile material) | Information missing |
| Fuel state | Solid |
| Neutron energy spectrum | Thermal |
| Primary coolant | helium 78% - xenon 22% [1] |
| Reactor usage | |
| Primary use | Generation of electricity for propulsion |
| Power (thermal) | 3.8 MW |
| Power (electric) | 1 MWe (BWR-1) |
Mission
editA Russian project to create an uncrewed nuclear electric rocket spaceship for Solar system exploration. The first reactor tests are scheduled for the early 2020s; as of May 2020, the first orbital flight test of the reactor is planned for no earlier than 2030.[3] The first mission, named Zeus, is envisioned to operate for 50 months and deliver payloads to the Moon, Venus, and Jupiter through multiple gravity assists.[5]
Specifications
editReactor
editSpacecraft
edit- Mass: 20,290 kg (limited by Angara 5 carrying capacity)
- Thrust: 18 N
- Specific impulse: 7000 s
- Space-launch vehicle: Angara
Project history
edit- 2009 – Project started.
- March 2016 – First batch of nuclear fuel received[citation needed]
- October 2018 – Successful initial tests of the water droplet radiator system[citation needed]
- May 2021 – Zeus mission proposed by Roscosmos and the Russian Academy of Sciences
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Ядерные реакторы в космосе: ТЭМ
- ^ "Russian Space Agency confirms plans to launch nuclear-powered space tug by 2030". SpaceDaily. 29 January 2020. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
- ^ a b "Рогозин посчитал перспективы создаваемого ядерного буксира гигантскими" [Rogozin gives consideration to the prospect of a large nuclear space tug]. TASS (in Russian). 27 May 2020. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
- ^ "DailyTech - Russia is Developing Nuclear Fission Spaceship to Reach the Red Planet". Dailytech.com. Archived from the original on 20 August 2017. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
- ^ "First mission of Russia's nuclear-powered space tug to take 50 months". TASS. 22 May 2021. Retrieved 28 May 2021.