Selecting parameters of elliptical basing orbit to improve safety of nuclear reusable tugs

The design-ballistic analysis of the effect of parameters of elliptical basing orbits of the reusable interorbital tug based on the nuclear power plant and electrorocket propulsion system of megawatt-class safety and efficiency of its use in the program which provides heavy cargo traffic to geostationary and near-Moon orbits has been made. It is shown that in comparison with the option of traditionally considered circular radiation safe orbit of altitude Hcir = 800 km the use of high elliptical basing orbits allows to reduce by approximately two orders the duration of staying in the single flight of the tug itself and the launched payload in the area of intensive contamination with anthropogenic space debris. In this case the total weight of the payload to be delivered by the tug to target orbit can be significantly increased during its life cycle, as well as the xenon consumption per unit of weight of the payload to be delivered can be reduced several times.