Development of a replacement rocket and a prospective spaceship with a conventional propellant has dragged on with no end in sight. -- PHOTO: REUTERSMOSCOW - RUSSIA'S space agency chief is proposing to build a new spaceship with a nuclear engine.
Anatoly Perminov told a government meeting on Wednesday that the preliminary design could be ready by 2012. He said it will then take nine more years and 17 billion rubles (about S$1.2 million) to build the ship.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev urged the Cabinet to consider providing the necessary funding.
Perminov's ambitious statement contrasted with the current state of the Russian space program.
Russia is using 40-year old Soyuz booster rockets and capsules to send crews to the International Space Station.
Development of a replacement rocket and a prospective spaceship with a conventional propellant has dragged on with no end in sight. -- AP
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