Rosatom and Kurchatov Institute are working to create new generation nuclear reactor of megawatt class, so called “thermo-nuclear batteries”, – Rosatom Head Sergey Kiriyenko told at ITAR-TASS press-conference dedicated to Kurchatov Institute 70th anniversary.
“It is a joint project on developing new generation of power-generating installations. Theseinstallations will be of megawatt class”, – Kiriyenko said. According to him now refueling is needed every 1,5-2 years. “ We cope with the task to refuel spacecrafts every 4-5 years but we are going to do it once in 25 years. That will be exactly due the new so called thermonuclear battery that combines small sizes, great power and one-time fueling”.
Roscosmos Head noted that such batteries will be of use both for military and for civil purposes. E.g. it may involve interplanetary flights.
In his turn Kurchatov Institute Director Mikhail Kovalchuk called this technology a breakthrough one and said the flight to Mars takes about 2 years and the use of this battery will solve the problem of energy supply.
Kovalchuk also added that the works on new nuclear power-generation installation construction are going according to the timetable. “The installation must start working by 2018” – said Kurchatov institute Director.
