MOSCOW, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- A nuclear-powered space engine prototype must be developed in Russia by 2030, and two gigafactories will be opened this year, Alexei Likhachev, director general of Russia's State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom, said Saturday.
"Our partnership with Roscosmos under a dedicated federal project -- covering the lunar station and a megawatt-class rocket engine -- demonstrates the role of nuclear power in advancing space exploration," said Likhachev in an interview with the Russia 24 TV channel.
"A prototype must be ready by 2030," he said.
Likhachev also noted that Rosatom is expanding into electric mobility, working on both power solutions and control systems, and has already achieved tangible results.
Two gigafactories producing lithium-ion batteries are set to open in 2026, he said, adding that one will be located in Neman, near the Kaliningrad Nuclear Power Plant, and the other in New Moscow. ■
