The realm of sci-fi is finally merging with the aspects of reality and the technology we witnessed in some of the greatest science fiction flicks like, Star Trek and Mission To Mars is all set to come true. The Russian Space Agency today announced, that it is planning to build a nuclear powered spaceship. As per the estimates released by Anatoly Perminov, the Russian Space Agency chief and the driving force behind this project, a detailed design of the nuclear powered ship could be ready as early as by 2012. If and when the deigns are approved, the program will require $600 million and a span of 9 years for such a ship to take its stand in the launch pad.

According to Perminov,

“The implementation of this project will allow us to reach a new technological level surpassing foreign developments.”

Even though the it is a brilliant and a very bold idea, the fact remains that the Russian Space Agency is currently cash strapped and will have to find various means to raise funds for this projects, that can include a coalition of NASA, ESA and the RSA. Russian President, Dmitry Medvedev, praised the bold initiative and has urged the Russian cabinet to take this extremely seriously and find ways to make money for this dream to turn into reality.

If this proposed nuclear power space vehicle comes into existence, it will end of woes of the current fleet of space rockets that use Soyuz booster rockets, whose technology is now 40 years old and will be able to replace and change the way Russians look out into the universe. According to Perminov, this ship will be built around a megawatt-class nuclear reactor, that will be much advanced than the ones, that power Russian satellites and limit their operational life span for one year.

Via Associated Press.