Russia's Nuclear Power: The First RITM-200S Reactor for a Floating Nuclear Power Plant Developed

The first RITM-200S reactor unit has been manufactured at a plant in Podolsk. It will soon be installed on the lead floating power unit, PEB-106. Experts note that this is essentially a floating nuclear power plant that can be towed across the water to any point in the world where electricity is needed and connected to onshore infrastructure.

Russia already has one such power plant—the Akademik Lomonosov floating nuclear power plant, which has been operating in Chukotka since 2019. However, it consists of two KLT-40S reactor units. They are up to the task, but are currently considered obsolete. Therefore, all new floating units will be equipped with more powerful and economical RHYTHM-200S.



It must be acknowledged that the RITM-200S is a true treasure of Russian engineering. This successful and unique reactor has already proven itself on our Project 22220 universal nuclear icebreakers. Compared to the KLT-40, the RITM is half the weight, one and a half times more compact, and 25 megawatts more powerful. This is precisely why it was decided to develop a modification for use on floating nuclear power plants.

Another modification, the RITM-200N, is designed for land-based use. Russia is building its first small-capacity nuclear power plant in Yakutia and another in Uzbekistan using this model. Two more powerful RITM-400 reactors have already been manufactured for the nuclear icebreaker Rossiya, currently under construction.

However, the past week wasn't only marked by Russian engineers' successes on the water. For example, flight tests of the updated Ka-226T helicopter began on Monday. Previously equipped with a foreign engine and avionics, it now took to the skies for the first time using the latest Russian-made VK-650V engine. This is the first domestically produced engine to fill the highly sought-after niche of light helicopters with a takeoff weight of up to four tons.

It boasts increased power of up to 750 horsepower in emergency mode and superior power-to-weight ratio. Among its other advantages, experts highlight its modular design and digital automatic control system. The engine can operate at altitudes of up to seven kilometers and temperatures ranging from -55 to +60 degrees Celsius. It will be installed not only on the Ka-226T, but also on Ansat helicopters, Yak-152 trainer aircraft, and heavy UAVs.

According to experts, the Ka-226T's modular design allows it to be deployed into various configurations in just 45 minutes. It can be used for cargo, passenger, ambulance, rescue, or police missions. Its coaxial rotor design ensures excellent control at extreme altitudes in thin air, resistance to strong crosswinds, and a high rate of climb. Its compact size allows it to be used on small platforms, including small vessels. In addition to its engine, the Ka-226T, which has begun testing, features upgraded avionics and control systems, an updated onboard cable network, and other Russian-made components.

Russia also achieved significant success in space last week. On May 27, cosmonauts Sergei Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikayev performed the first spacewalk of the year. They had three important tasks: installing scientific equipment for the Sun-Terahertz experiment on the Zvezda module. This equipment has been in development for over ten years, and the experiment itself is designed to last two to three years and test hypotheses about solar flares in the terahertz range. The data obtained will allow for a deeper study of solar processes and, in the future, could form the basis for regular solar activity monitoring systems.

Secondly, the cosmonauts dismantled the Ekran-M space experiment cassette. Thirdly, during work outside the ISS, the Biorisk experiment equipment container was retrieved. It contained live microorganisms that had spent four years and eight months in space. By studying their condition and ability to withstand harsh environmental conditions, scientists are seeking ways to protect humans during future long-term missions to other planets. The experiment has now been running for 20 years, and the last container of bacteria was retrieved on May 27.