Russia resumes nuclear rocket engine research for deep space ambitions

Russia plans to resume research on a nuclear rocket engine, with Roscosmos collaborating alongside the Kurchatov Institute and state nuclear corporation Rosatom, Denis Kutovoy, Deputy Director of the Department of Space Systems of Roscosmos announced.

“We have one project that we plan to implement jointly with the Kurchatov Institute and organizations of the state corporation Rosatom — this is the resumption of research on a nuclear rocket engine,” Kutovoy said during the Russian Space Forum.

The announcement follows remarks on April 7 by Kurchatov Institute President Mikhail Kovalchuk at a meeting of the Russian Academy of Sciences presidium, titled “Space as a Source of Scientific Knowledge, Progress, and Cooperation.” Kovalchuk outlined plans to develop a conceptual design of a nuclear rocket engine intended for lunar flights and long-range space missions by 2026.

According to a presentation slide accompanying Kovalchuk’s talk, the project will produce the conceptual design in 2026, with advanced experimental and design work scheduled for 2028–2032.

By Vafa Guliyeva