An artist's conception of the nuclear-powered spacecraft which Russia plans to design. File photo
MOSCOW (PTI): Russian government has allocated $17 million for the development of a spaceship with nuclear powered engine.
Under a cabinet decree issued on December 29, 2009, in all 500 million roubles ($17 million) are being allocated to the RosAtom State Nuclear Corporation and the Federal Space Agency Roskosmos this year for a project to develop nuclear engine for spacecraft, RIA Novosti reported.
Earlier, Russia's space chief Anatoly Perminov had said the nuclear engines for spaceships were a very promising area and should be developed for flights to Mars and other planets.
He said the development of Megawatt-class nuclear space power systems (MCNSPS) for manned spacecraft was crucial if Russia wanted to maintain a competitive edge in the space race, including exploration of the Moon and Mars.
The draft design of a spacecraft powered by a nuclear propulsion system would be finalised by 2012, and would require an investment of at least 17 billion roubles (over $580 million) in next nine years.
The Indian Air Force, in its flight trials evaluation report submitted before the Defence Ministry l..
view articleAn insight into the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft competition...
view articleSky enthusiasts can now spot the International Space Station (ISS) commanded by Indian-American astr..
view article