Use of Nuclear Energy in Outer-Space Systems

The history and direction of further development of space nuclear energetics are examined. The functional diagram and principle of operation of a promising, powerful, power-and-propulsion plant based on a gas-cooled reactor, a turbomachine energy conversion system, and electric rocket engines are described. Judicious variants are proposed for creating a nuclear power-and-propulsion system taking into account the limitations on the carrying capacity of existing launch vehicles. Promising directions for the application of powerful power-and-propulsion systems for interorbital transport of spacecraft and powering energy-intensive payloads are considered.