Nuclear rocket engine 11B91-IR-100 from Russia

The book J.G.Demjanko, A.S.Koroteyev's , etc. " Nuclear Rocket Engines ",
2001 is published in Russia.. This book is interesting that it data from
technological reports (probably, before "confidential") of some scientific
organizations of the USSR and Russia on series and purposeful creation of a
nuclear rocket engine 11B91-IR-100 with a thrust about 3,6 tons and power
about 3-10 megawatt are adduced. These activities have begun in 50th years
and proceeded until recently. On May, 28, 2000 for this reactor S.Zaletnyj
and A.Kaleri astronauts during the flight on "MIR" space stations are tested
the drop refrigerator for the program "Sheet - 2" which provides a scoring
on weight near 90 tons in comparison with conventional radiators. Physical
models of nuclear rocket engine were tested on "Baikal - 1"stand (
Semipalatinsk range) and on existing bench "Strela" in Physics-Power
Institute. Physical launch has been made on March, 27 1978. Practically
everything, including the design documentation on manufacturing nuclear
rocket engine 11B91-IR-100 is made, what's why the center of Keldysh
(Russia) offers this engine as the base engine for future Martian
expeditions.

Adron V. Pon