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BES-5 reactor | |
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![]() BES-5 type reactor | |
Generation | Experimental |
Reactor concept | Unknown |
Status | ~29 units in earth orbit |
Main parameters of the reactor core | |
Fuel (fissile material) | 235U |
Fuel state | 37 solid cylinders |
Neutron energy spectrum | Fast |
Primary control method | six rods, BC 2 with LiH inserts |
Neutron reflector | Beryllium |
Primary coolant | NaK |
Reactor usage | |
Primary use | US-A satellites |
Power (thermal) | 100 kW |
Power (electric) | 1.3–5 kW |
BES-5, also known as Bouk or Buk (Russian: бук, lit. 'beech'), was a Soviet thermoelectric generator that was used to power 31 satellites in the US-A (RORSAT) project. The heat source was a uranium 235 fast fission nuclear reactor (FNR).[citation needed]