We went through the worlds: the Russian Federation proposed a project for an expedition to Mars powered by nuclear engines

Russian experts have proposed the concept of a mission to Mars. The basic scenario involves sending two ships, a cargo ship and a manned ship, which will be assembled in low—Earth orbit at an altitude of at least 900 km. Each unit will be equipped with an installation consisting of four modules with nuclear engines. The concept has been worked out to the level of computational and experimental work, however, for its implementation it is necessary to create a closed exhaust system and develop a superheavy launch vehicle. According to experts, such a project can only be implemented as a universal task requiring international cooperation.

How nuclear engines will help to reach Mars

For many years, flights to Mars have remained one of the key tasks of global space exploration. Russia is also working on options for a manned expedition to the Red Planet. An adviser to the Deputy General Director of the NIKIET Scientific Research and Design Center told Izvestia about one of them. Academician Dollezhal (part of the Rosatom State Corporation) Elena Romadova.

Work on the preparation of the Mars mission has been carried out for a long period both in our country and abroad, she said. Various technologies and flight scenarios were studied. According to experts, one of the most promising solutions is related to the use of nuclear rocket engines and nuclear propulsion systems. They will make it possible to travel 225 million km to Mars, as well as provide the expedition with the necessary electricity.

The work has been translated into a detailed roadmap, where every technical task — from assembling the complex in a radiation—safe orbit to launching nuclear systems - is solved taking into account modern requirements and international standards on nuclear and radiation safety.

— The so-called bimodal nuclear rocket engine was considered in the works. This combined propulsion and power plant performs two functions. Firstly, it provides thrust generation by heating the working fluid (hydrogen) in the reactor fuel channels. And secondly, it generates electricity using a turbocharger generator. The heat source for converting energy into electricity is a nuclear reactor, in which the coolant is heated from the outer surface of the fuel channels," explained Elena Romadova.

The energy produced is necessary both for the operation of a nuclear rocket engine and for providing onboard equipment for an interplanetary spacecraft, she said.

As a basic option, the project considers a two-ship expedition scenario to Mars, including cargo and manned vehicles.

Which spaceships will be sent to Mars

According to the project, an interplanetary cargo ship should deliver a landing module with the necessary equipment and equipment to the Red Planet, while the manned spacecraft includes residential and command laboratory complexes, as well as a crew return module to Earth. The assembly of interplanetary ships is supposed to be in low—Earth orbit at an altitude of at least 900 km - this is necessary to comply with nuclear safety standards.

According to Elena Romadova, in this concept, the mainline propulsion system consists of a bundle of four single modules with nuclear engines with a thrust of 7 tons each, a radiator refrigerator and seven tanks with liquid hydrogen as a working fluid.

At the same time, for the practical implementation of the concept, it is necessary to solve a number of major engineering problems. The first is the creation of a closed exhaust system for the safe disposal of hydrogen, which will make it possible to switch from open ground tests previously used in the USSR and the USA to a closed cycle. The second is the development of a superheavy launch vehicle with a payload capacity of at least 100 tons for launching structural elements into orbit.

In addition, the expert noted that the basic principles laid down in the development of a bimodal nuclear rocket engine formed the basis of one of the key modern projects — the creation of a megawatt-class nuclear power plant.

— Thanks to this project, previous technologies have been restored and new technologies have been mastered in our country over the past 15 years. A complex of computational and experimental work was also carried out. The results obtained can be used in the creation of a nuclear rocket engine and space nuclear power plants, In addition, the project has allowed to restore the human resources potential of the industry," added Elena Romadova.

Thus, Russian developments — from the test experience at the Semipalatinsk test site to modern projects — have formed a significant technological reserve.

Why is going to Mars a universal task?

— To fly to Mars, you need to answer the question of why. When the purpose is clear, then the format of the expedition will become clear — what types of ships, in what quantity and in what time frame are needed. For example, if the task is not to install a "flag", but to explore the planet, then cargo transportation will be the main stream. Compare, for example, with the situation on Earth. It turns out that there are dozens of times more cargo moving around the planet than there are people," said Andrey Ionin, cosmonautics expert and advisor to the CEO of the Geoscan Group of Companies.

The exploration of Mars is a universal task that requires the cooperation of all countries. In this regard, the leading role can be played by states with competence in the creation of superheavy-class rockets, while the rest of the countries will focus on solving problems corresponding to their capabilities and technological level, said Ivan Moiseev, scientific director of the Moscow Space Club.

— It is advisable to carry out the exploration of the Red Planet at the initial stage with the help of automatic stations and robotic systems. Manned flight does not make practical sense yet, but in the future this mission will allow humanity to explore new frontiers. But neither Russia, nor the United States, nor China, nor private business will pull the project individually — only through joint efforts. It is easier to fly to Mars from the Moon when the necessary infrastructure is available there," he noted.

Planets are "gravity wells", and it is energy—intensive and difficult to deliver goods to them and take them back. Therefore, in the near future it is more reasonable to explore the Moon, asteroids and moons of planets, as well as to build large stations and factories in orbit, the expert added.

At the same time, the concept of a "two—planet civilization" designed to ensure the safety of mankind, in his opinion, is untenable: isolated bases on Mars will be vulnerable to external threats, from conflicts to epidemics and other risks already existing on Earth.

Over the years, Roscosmos and Rosatom enterprises, as well as the Kurchatov Institute Research Center, have participated in the development of nuclear rocket engines.