Russia plans 2015 tests under nuclear propulsion study

The Russian Federal Space Agency (aka Roscosmos) has told Hyperbola that it is getting 70 million Rubles for the nuclear rocket project that will see tests in 2015

With a draft design to be completed in 2012 the agency says production of the rocket engine, not identified as nuclear thermal or nuclear electric, could occur in 2018. One assumes the 2015 tests will be in-space tests if production begins in 2018

Other media reports give the study a $17 million (502 million Rubles) price tag, this could include funds for the state owned nuclear corporation that is reported to be involved. Roscosmos did not mention the nuclear company in its response to Hyperbola

Roscosmos told Hyperbola: "The study is done by Keldysh center, which is one of the leading research and development companies dealing with rocket engine development."