FIELD: nuclear power engineering for spacecraft. SUBSTANCE: proposed power-generating and propelling plants are designed to serve two interrelated purposes: (a) injecting space vehicle to desired orbit and (b) continuous power supply to vehicle equipment during orbital flight. Plant operation includes operation of thermionic converter reactor at rated heat power, delivery of cesium steam to reactor electrode clearance, and supply of electric power generated at rated heat power of reactor to equipment operating during spacecraft injection to orbit. Then reactor heat power is brought down from rated to reduced level and electric power generated by additional converter is fed to equipment running continuously during orbital flight of vehicle. During reactor operation at reduced power electrode clearances are filled with gas, such as hydrogen, helium, their mixture, or mixture of one of them with other gases. EFFECT: enhanced operating reliability under two quite different conditions; enlarged service life. 2 cl, 1 dwg
