Russia has created a project of a space tug to deliver satellites to orbits


RIA Novosti reported that the Voronezh State Technical University has developed a draft design for an orbital tug, which is intended for use in ultra-light rockets. The device was named “BORIS”, which stands for “tug of the orbital placement of artificial satellites.”

According to the documents that were at the disposal of the publication, the mass of the tug is 80 kg. It has 16 kg of liquid fuel on board, and this should be enough to deliver several satellites to different orbits. It is this purpose of the tug, according to the developers, that will give it an advantage in comparison with conventional missiles.

In Russia, upper stages are mainly used for these purposes. In fact, these are the same tugs whose task is to take satellites into orbits after the launch of the launch vehicle. For example, at the end of March, the Fregat block, as part of the Soyuz rocket, first delivered 38 satellites to different orbits, and a little later – 36 more vehicles to different places within the same orbit.

By the way, the Russian space policy, which was approved by the President of Russia until 2030, provides for the development of reusable space tugs based on electric propulsion engines. It is assumed that they will be needed to supply the lunar base.

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