Russia to Develop Prototype Nuclear-Powered Space Engine by 2030, Two Gigafactories to Begin Operations This Year

Moscow — Russia has set a target to develop a prototype of a nuclear-powered space engine by 2030. The information was shared on Saturday by Alexei Likhachev, Director General of Russia’s State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom, in an interview with the Russia 24 television channel.

According to him, Rosatom is cooperating with Russia’s space agency Roscosmos under a separate federal project, which includes the construction of a lunar station and the development of a megawatt-class rocket engine. “This partnership demonstrates how important nuclear power is in advancing space exploration,” Likhachev said. He clarified that a prototype of the engine must be ready by 2030 under the project.

Likhachev also noted that Rosatom is expanding into the field of electric mobility. He said the corporation is working on both power solutions and control systems and has already achieved tangible results in this area.

In the same context, he stated that two gigafactories producing lithium-ion batteries will come into operation in 2026. One of the gigafactories will be located in Neman, near the Kaliningrad Nuclear Power Plant, while the other will be established in New Moscow.