Russian nuclear propulsion spacecraft "Nuklon"

[sovanova95]

The scientists at Rosatom have developed a laboratory prototype of a plasma electric rocket engine based on a magnetic plasma accelerator, which exhibits improved thrust performance (at least 6 Newtons) and specific impulse (at least 100 kilometers per second). The project is a part of a comprehensive program aimed at advancing nuclear science, engineering, and technology in Russia, which in 2025 emerged as a part of the new national initiative for technological leadership “New Nuclear and Energy Technologies”
A large-scale experimental facility is constructed at the Troitsk site to test the plasma rocket engine prototype and other similar technologies. The diameter of the main equipment of the facility, the vacuum chamber, is 4 meters, and its length is 14 meters. The chamber is planned to be equipped with unique systems for high-efficiency vacuum pumping and heat removal. These systems make it possible to create space-like conditions.

 

[sovanova95]

Hi. I follow YT channel of this Russian guy Dmitry Konanykhin, couple years ago he was visiting some science fair somewhere in Russia, anyway he recorded maket of TEM Nukleon that Roscosmos displayed, it had this new type of engine that Mr. Dmitry described as Russian VASIMR, back then it was just a maket, but I think this ^^^, is a real thing now.

 

[QuadroFX]

maket

mockup