Nuclear energy for space missions

А brief review is given of the 1952–1988 research at the А. I. Leipunsky Institute of Physics and Power Engineering (Obninsk) on the use of nuclear fission chain reactions in developing space vehicles and their on-board power systems. The research was carried out оn the initiative of the USSR Acadеmу of Sciences Corresponding Member D. I. Blokhintsev, Head of the Institute, and enlisted the active support of Academician S. Р. Korolev.