Project "Zeus": the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation will receive a combat complex in Earth orbit

October 1 2021 16

On September 4, 2021, the model of the first Russian nuclear tug called "Zeus" was officially presented to the President of the Russian Federation Putin. A few weeks later, Vladimir Vladimirovich publicly gave a "scolding" to the performers for the sluggishness in the implementation of this space program. What made the head of state suddenly get into such a hurry?

First of all, it should be noted that the national cosmonautics today is at a crossroads, and a lot will depend on the further choice of the path of development. In the field of commercial launches and delivery of passengers in orbit, Roskosmos is actively squeezed by foreign private space companies. It was decided to withdraw from the joint ISS project and build its own space station. The big question is whether our country is able to do this 100% independently, or if it is worth cooperating with someone from among the competitors of the United States. There are also certain doubts about the possibility of Roskosmos to implement the lunar program exclusively on its own, which even the immeasurably more powerful USSR did not succeed at one time, and to land Russian cosmonauts on the surface of an earth satellite.

Probably, it would be more expedient to do this in the framework of cooperation with other countries with great space ambitions, for example, with China or India. Unfortunately, our scourge is the regular sequestration of budget expenditures for the space industry and the constant failure to meet deadlines. These problems could be resolved in cooperation with foreign partners who are hungry for a result, by reasonably sharing costs and competencies with them. Russia's strong point is its extensive practical experience in cosmonautics and the presence of the Soviet reserve in the field of advanced of technologies... For example, the heightened interest of Beijing or New Delhi in the implementation of the lunar program and deep space exploration may cause a nuclear tug project called Zeus.

Tug to the moon

Work on a promising nuclear-powered space tug began in 2010, although there were some developments on this topic back in the Soviet period. More precisely, the development of a megawatt-type transport and energy module has begun with the participation of specialists from Roscosmos and Rosatom. It should be noted the humor with which the tug project was named "Zeus". In ancient Greek mythology, Zeus is the thundering god, the father of Apollo and Artemis, after whom the first and modern American lunar programs are named. Apparently, so that the competitors know "who is daddy here." Well, or is it just a coincidence. The general name of the Russian nuclear cosmonautics program is Nuclon. And what are the goals it pursues?

The stated goal of "Zeus" is to carry out missions to the Moon and other planets of the solar system - Mars and Venus. The space tug is significantly inferior in speed to rockets with chemical engines, but has a significantly higher thrust, thanks to a megawatt-type nuclear power plant, and a longer service life. From low Earth orbit to a circumlunar spacecraft, it will be able to deliver 10 tons of payload in up to 200 days. Half of this period "Zeus" will accelerate, and the second - slow down. Is 200 days a lot or a little? For manned missions, perhaps this is a long time, for an unmanned space truck, it is quite acceptable. In this case, the cost of delivery of each kilogram of cargo will be of importance, as well as the possibility of using a nuclear reactor as a source of power supply for an orbital station or lander. In addition, the nuclear energy of "Zeus" can serve as a power source for research equipment when studying the surfaces of the Moon, Mars, Venus and the asteroid belt from orbit.

In general, this is a useful thing that will be the most important part of the Russian lunar program. The presence of such unique "chips" can attract other countries to the project, making it international, but under the auspices of Roscosmos. This is probably what we need now. But is it only about the Moon and Mars? You will not get any one-time "exhaust" from these programs, this is science, not commerce, so why did the head of state personally begin to urge and urge the space industry?

"Thunderer"

Perhaps the reason is that this is a dual-use project, and Zeus may be of heightened interest specifically for the RF Ministry of Defense. What military possibilities does this peaceful space tug open up?

At first, a device capable of being in orbit for a long time can become an integral part of the layered air defense system of our country. Depending on the power of the radar, "Zeus" will be able to control the airspace at a distance of 2200 to 4300 kilometers. The Ministry of Defense will receive operational data on all flying objects, from aircraft to intercontinental ballistic missiles.

Secondlythanks to the nuclear tug, the Russian military will be able to make significant headway in solving the problem of reliable target designation for missile weapons. Like us told earlier, it is not enough to release a hypersonic missile, it still needs to hit the target. The Liana satellite constellation, created specifically for these purposes, is very modest in size and is located in the engagement zone of American anti-satellite weapons. A real armed conflict will undoubtedly begin with an attempt by the Pentagon to "blind" and "deafen" the RF Ministry of Defense. "Zeus", or rather, several "Zeus" will be able to stay in orbit for years, quickly change their location if necessary and provide data for target designation.

ThirdlyAs the developers directly stated, the space tug itself can become a carrier of laser and electromagnetic weapons. This will give the Ministry of Defense the opportunity to turn "Zeus" and its possible counterparts into "hunters for satellites" and spaceplanes of the enemy. Today, the greatest potential threat to the Russian satellite constellation comes from American anti-satellite missiles, as well as from unmanned reusable X-37B vehicles, which can theoretically destroy the Russian Liana and others. And here they could be met with a laser beam, a missile or an electromagnetic or electronic warfare attack.

In the future, "Zeus" with its nuclear power plant and carrying capacity of 10 tons can turn into a kind of "Death Star" in orbit if an appropriate combat module is created for it. As a means of deterring US military expansion into near-Earth space, this is a very convincing response to the Pentagon. Perhaps this is why President Putin is pushing Roscosmos so quickly, and not because we urgently need to get to the moon.

Sergey Marzhetsky

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Cyril

-5

1 October 2021 18: 27

In ancient Greek mythology, Zeus is the thundering god, the father of Apollo and Artemis, after whom the first and modern American lunar programs are named. Apparently, so that competitors know "who is daddy here"... Neither, or is it just a coincidence. The general name of the Russian nuclear cosmonautics program is Nuclon. And what are the goals it pursues?

Before the implementation of this "dad" you still need to live :)

The maximum load of 10 tons and the flight time to the Moon of 200 days make this tug meaningless for cargo transportation as well - unless there are a lot of these tugs in orbit and they will make regular flights, thereby compensating for the long idle time with the supply of cargo.

Obviously, Russia will not be able to afford many nuclear tugs in orbit in the foreseeable future.

Well, with a military appointment, too, so-so.

Secondly, thanks to the nuclear tug, the Russian military will be able to make significant headway in solving the problem of reliable targeting for missile weapons. As we said earlier, it is not enough to release a hypersonic missile, it still needs to hit the target. The Liana satellite constellation, created specifically for these purposes, is very modest in size and is located in the engagement zone of American anti-satellite weapons. A real armed conflict will undoubtedly begin with an attempt by the Pentagon to "blind" and "deafen" the RF Ministry of Defense. "Zeus", or rather, several "Zeus" will be able to stay in orbit for years, quickly change their location if necessary and provide data for target designation.

Strange logic. If the Zeus are located in the same orbit as the Liana, then the American anti-satellite weapons will reach them. It is possible, of course, to drive the tugs to an orbit higher, where the Americans will no longer reach with anti-satellite missiles - but after all, simple target designation satellites can be placed in a high geostationary orbit. This I mean that using "Zeus" for targeting is like hammering nails with a microscope.

First, an apparatus capable of being in orbit for a long time can become an integral part of our country's echeloned air defense system. Depending on the power of the radar, "Zeus" will be able to control the airspace at a distance of 2200 to 4300 kilometers. The Ministry of Defense will receive operational data on all flying objects, from aircraft to intercontinental ballistic missiles.

Again, satellites have been able to do this for a long time, why do they need a nuclear tug?

Thirdly, as the developers directly stated, the space tug itself can become a carrier of laser and electromagnetic weapons. This will give the Ministry of Defense the opportunity to turn "Zeus" and its possible counterparts into "hunters for satellites" and spaceplanes of the enemy.

Of the possible combat use, this is probably the most justified. But for now, it looks more like naked propaganda, because neither the combat module, nor, in fact, the tug itself, is yet and is not foreseen in the expected future.
1. Marzhecki
  
  +2
  
  2 October 2021 09: 15
  
  Strange logic. If the Zeus are located in the same orbit as the Liana, then the American anti-satellite weapons will reach them. It is possible, of course, to drive the tugs into an orbit higher, where the Americans will no longer reach with anti-satellite missiles - but after all, simple target designation satellites can be placed in a high geostationary orbit.
  
  From what? The tug can be quickly moved, but the satellites?
  
  Again, satellites have been able to do this for a long time, why do they need a nuclear tug?
  
  For the above reason - the tug is a more difficult target.
  
  The maximum load of 10 tons and the flight time to the Moon of 200 days make this tug meaningless for cargo transportation as well - unless there are a lot of these tugs in orbit and they will make regular flights, thereby compensating for the long idle time with the supply of cargo.
  
  Obviously, Russia will not be able to afford many nuclear tugs in orbit in the foreseeable future.
  
  That is why we are talking about the need for international cooperation with other countries.
  1. Cyril
    
    -2
    
    3 October 2021 04: 18
    
    From what? The tug can be quickly moved, but the satellites?
    
    Quickly move something that flies to the Moon 200 days? Ordinary satellites with RTGs and ion / plasma thrusters can cope with such "efficiency".
2. 123
  
  +3
  
  2 October 2021 15: 51
  
  Of the possible combat use, this is probably the most justified. But for now, it looks more like naked propaganda, because neither the combat module, nor, in fact, the tug itself, is yet and is not foreseen in the expected future.
  
  Naked propaganda is the emigration of maskophile hamsters to Mars, and so far flights to the moon. Spacesuits for them have not yet been sewn, and now no one flies in a single-breasted one. It seems that the process of developing promising technologies is dragging on and stalling. For reasons that to us would be called corruption and sawing, but since everyone knows that there are no such hail on a hill, they will call it something more euphonious. Lobbying interests, misallocation of funds or something like that.
  1. Cyril
    
    -4
    
    3 October 2021 04: 30
    
    Naked propaganda is the emigration to Mars of maskophile hamsters, and so far, flights to the moon.
    
    "And in America, blacks do nothing!")))
BoBot Robot - Free Thinking Machine

+1

1 October 2021 22: 45

We fly to Mars! To Venus! As it was sung in the song:
To the moon and to Mars
We will fly in our starship!
ont65

0

2 October 2021 00: 55

Weak. Some guesses with errors. Zero gravity lifting capacity, how is it? 10 tons? - He can push the ISS, the only question is with what effect. As for Putin's reaction, advertising and the money spent is clearly not what is expected of Roscosmos. Actually, the result from investments has been expected since the 80s, because the current 'Nuclon' is a continuation of work on the 'Hephaestus' theme of the times of Energia-Buran, and things are still there, despite the fact that there are now plenty of interested competitors. The project has weak points - the short period of active operation of the reactors and the insufficient capacity of the existing carriers to launch tugs into orbit for manned programs. For the options considered, the requirement is from 50 tons per LEO.
Marzhecki

+1

2 October 2021 09: 11

Quote: ont65
Weak. Some guesses with errors.

Who are the judges?
1. ont65
  
  0
  
  3 October 2021 03: 38
  
  What are the judges? School program to help.
Sergey Latyshev

-2

2 October 2021 09: 47

It is very similar to the rest of the Programs named after Khoja Nasretdin.
When they could not fulfill it, even high-ranking functionaries began to throw "Rat-proposals"

but let's, SU 57, since there are almost none, it will be a reconnaissance aircraft, and let's be a command aircraft, And let the ARMAT units be a target designator tank, and we will make them a command tank,

etc.

And most importantly - no responsibility ...
steelmaker

-3

2 October 2021 19: 54

Russian Defense Ministry will receive a combat complex in Earth orbit

It will not be in our lifetime!
1. AND
  
  -2
  
  3 October 2021 07: 43
  
  Be more positive! Not in your life will be. Do not include us here, we will definitely see it.
  1. faiver
    
    -2
    
    5 October 2021 08: 55
    
    Schoolchildren on the site?
Netyn

-1

3 October 2021 13: 57

Sergei, you are getting old.
So all the grants will be divided without you
Why aren't Zeus' critical flaws listed? Where is the justification for the need to modernize the project into an aircraft-carrying tug? Russia is dying all without modern augs in space, and you are silent.
Winnie

-2

3 October 2021 18: 36

I wallow from these Roskosmos dreamers and dreamers! They are making global plans, missile defense, the moon ... Fuck you!
We have satellites in rows in our warehouse. We cannot start. Lacks ONE single sanctioning chip. (Rogozin himself will confirm this to you.)
Do you think America will take pity and sell? How would not hell!
Well, children, just naive children, who were told another beautiful fairy tale. And they hung their ears and opened their mouths. Fuckers, damn it.
1. ont65
  
  0
  
  9 October 2021 23: 51
  
  The claim is not to Roskosmos, but to the customers of the equipment, who are well aware of the sanctions - why was it that they did not put the condition for the use of domestic space kits in the TK? Glonass-M worked for such, there are much more recent and modern ones here. You need to work with your manufacturers, they are there and are waiting for orders.