MOSCOW (RIA Novosti): The model of the Zeus orbital complex with a nuclear power plant, which Roskosmos plans to use for flights into deep space, will be presented for the first time abroad – at the International Astronautical Congress in the UAE, follows from the documents of the state corporation published on the government procurement website.
Earlier, the model of Zeus could be seen at the International Aviation and Space Salon 2021 and the Forum Army-2021, and the model of the transport and energy module based on a nuclear power plant (the basis of Zeus) was first presented at the International Aviation and Space Salon in 2019 and forums “Army” 2019 and 2020.
According to the list presented by Roscosmos on state purchases, the state corporation will demonstrate a 1.5-meter model of the Zeus complex and a model of a transport and energy module 81 centimeters long.
The congress will take place in Dubai from October 25-29.
The creation of elements of a nuclear tug based on a transport and energy module with a nuclear power plant of a megawatt class has been carried out in Russia since 2010.
In January 2020, in a pr-esentation by Yuri Urlichi-ch, First Deputy General D-irector of Roscosmos, presented at the Royal Readin-gs, plans were made to lau-nch a nuclear tug into orbit in 2030 for flight tests.
After that, it is planned to start its serial production and commercial use. According to the contract previously published on the public procurement website, the development of the preliminary design of the tug will be completed by July 2024 and will cost 4.2 billion rubles.
The nuclear tug is inte-nded for flights to the Mo-on and planets of the Solar System. It received the na-me “Zeus” (in Greek myt-hology, the supreme god is the father of Apollo and Ar-temis, after whom the previous and current manned lunar programs of the US are named), and the resea-rch and development work itself is called “Nuclon”.
