Russia is developing the ReshuKub-4 spacecraft with an engine running on “green” fuel

Brief retelling from RIA II

At the Siberian State University of Science and Technology named after M.F. Reshetnev is developing the ReshuKub-4 spacecraft.

The launch of the device is scheduled for the end of 2027.

MOSCOW, August 21 – RIA Novosti. The ReshuKub‑4 spacecraft for testing an engine using “green” fuel is being developed at the Siberian State University of Science and Technology named after M.F. Reshetneva. Its launch is scheduled for the end of 2027, deputy head of the Small Space Vehicles (SSC) Research and Production Laboratory and project manager Dmitry Zuev told RIA Novosti.

“We have made a size-and-mass mock-up of the device so that our colleagues can carry out docking tests at their site at the Keldysh Research Center. A trial placement of the engine in the small spacecraft body has taken place. Then all the necessary checks will be carried out on the ground: vibration tests, vacuum tests to make sure that the system will operate under nominal conditions. After that, we will move on to the flight version: we will assemble the satellite, our colleagues will mount the engine. We will complete the work and prepare for launch. And already in orbit we will interact about the experiments,” said Zuev.

He added that students and young scientists are involved in creating the satellite. The results of their work and data obtained during the mission will form the basis of university educational programs.

The scientist also noted the practical significance of the project: the propulsion system is intended for placement on small spacecraft, which are actively being developed in the industry today.

“Equipping such devices with an engine is an important task so that they can maintain their position in orbit, not leave it ahead of time, or enter a specific desired orbit,” Zuev explained.

As a result, ReshuCube-4, according to the expert, will combine engineering development, testing of new space technology, training of young specialists and a real orbital experiment in one mission.

A small spacecraft of the CubeSat class is being created as part of the UniverSat competition of the federal program “Personnel for Space” of the Russian Ministry of Education and Science. Customer - Research Center named after M.V. Keldysh, who developed a low-thrust propulsion system using environmentally friendly fuel.