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TEM

Transport and Energy Module (TEM, Space Tug Zeus) is a nuclear electric space tug intended to solve a wide range of tasks such as cargo delivery to the moon, geostationary orbit and Mars as well as orbital debris collection.

The spacecraft uses a megawatt-class nuclear reactor to provide electric power to a very large electric propulsion system (ion engines, ID-500). Cooling is provided by a drip cooler-emitter.

Wikipedia (EN). Wikipedia (RU).

TEM

Technology​

Reactor​

  • High-temperature gas-cooled fast neutron reactor that can withstand temperatures up to 1500 K.
  • helium-xenon mixture is used as a coolant.

Engine​

  • ID500 ion engine
  • Test fired in 2014
  • Power: 32-35kW
  • Thrust: 375-750mN
  • Specific Impulse: 70,000m/s
  • Weight: 34.8kg

Missions​

In 2022, the executive director of Roscosmos announced that the first mission of the tug will take place in 2030, and its task will be to search for life on the moons of Jupiter.

  • Dock two payload modules with Zeus
  • Flyby of Venus
  • Arrive in 2034