BES-5
| BES-5 reactor | |
|---|---|
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).