Interorbital Tug stage

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Interorbital Tug stage

Part of 11B97

Electric/Xenon propellant rocket stage. Beginning in 1978 the 11B97 nuclear electric engine was studied for use in a reusable interorbital space tug for launch by Energia-Buran. In 1982, according to the decree of 5 February 1981, NPO Energia developed for the Ministry of Defense the interorbital tug Gerkules with 550 kWt maximum output and continuous operation in the 50-150 kWt range for 3 to 5 years. In 1986 a civilian interorbital tug was studied to solve the specific application of transporting heavy satellites of 100 metric tons to geostationary orbit, launched by Energia.

AKA: Gerkules;Interorbital Tug. Status: Development 1986. Thrust: 25 N (6 lbf). Gross mass: 65,700 kg (144,800 lb). Unfuelled mass: 15,700 kg (34,600 lb). Specific impulse: 3,000 s. Burn time: 57,600,000 s. Height: 35.00 m (114.00 ft). Diameter: 5.50 m (18.00 ft). Span: 30.00 m (98.00 ft).

All of these designs seem to have been essentially similar; the figures given here are for the last study. The tug would have a propellant supply adequate for 16,000 hours of operation and three years of reactor life.

Country: Russia. Engines: 11B97. Propellants: Electric/Xenon.

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