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Lunar L1

Zond 5 Reaches Moon

Zond 5 Reaches Moon
Zond 5 rounds the Moon and heads for Earth after the first Lunar Circumnavigation
Credit: © Mark Wade

The Russian program to fly Soviet cosmonauts around the moon in the late 1960's.



Subtopics

Soyuz: Was the Design Stolen? There was something awfully familiar looking about the Soyuz spacecraft, the most successful in history....

L1: The Podsadka Problem What was the secret configuration of the L1 spacecraft?

L1 Launch Windows The simple constraint on L1 launch dates.

Soyuz A-1 Planned Soyuz circumlunar mission. Soyuz would dock with a refueled rocket stage and be accelerated on a loop around the moon. Cancelled in mid-1964 due to delays in Soyuz and decision to race Americans to moon landing.

Soyuz A-2 The planned second manned Soyuz circumlunar mission in 1965 would have been commanded by Bykovsky. The cosmonauts trained docking with the 9K and 11K rocket stages for months before the mission concept was dumped in August 1964.

Soyuz A-3 Planned manned circumlunar flight with a female cosmonaut. Popovich was to have been accompanied by female cosmonaut Ponomaryova in what would have been the first mixed crew flight to the moon in 1965. The program was cancelled in August 1964.

Soyuz A-4 Planned fourth Soyuz circumlunar mission. Cancelled August 1964.

Soyuz 1 Space disaster that put back Soviet lunar program 18 months. Soyuz 1 was to dock with Soyuz 2 and transfer crew. Instead Soyuz 1 solar panel didn't deploy; manual reentry; tangled parachute lines; astronaut killed on impact with earth.

Soyuz 2A Soyuz 2 was planned to launch the day after Soyuz 1, to dock with it and transfer crew. Instead Soyuz 1 solar panel didn't deploy; manual reentry; tangled parachute lines; death of cosmonaut. Soyuz 2 cancelled.

Soyuz s/n 3/4 Prior to the Soyuz 1 disaster, planned second dual Soyuz manned docking mission. Crew Komarov, Bykovsky, Khrunov, and Yeliseyev.

Soyuz s/n 5/6 Prior to the Soyuz 1 disaster, planned third dual Soyuz manned docking mission.

Soyuz s/n 7 Prior to Soyuz 1 disaster, planned solo Soyuz mission to test Vulkan space welding device. Commander was to be either Komarov, Bykovsky, Gagarin, Nikolayev, Beregovoi, or Shatalov. The other two crewmembers were to be either Lankin and Fartushny from the Paton Institute, VVS cosmonaut Kolodin, or an engineer from OKB-1.

Soyuz 3 Second manned Soyuz flight. Rendezvoused with the unmanned Soyuz 2 but failed to dock, blamed on manual control by cosmonaut who repeatedly overrode automatic systems, and used nearly all of his orientation fuel in his first attempt to dock.

Soyuz 4 First Russian docking. Mission successfully completed the simulated lunar orbit docking and crew transfer mission attempted by Soyuz 1 in April 1967. Two crew from Soyuz 5 returned in Soyuz 4.

Soyuz 5 Two crew transferred to and returned in Soyuz 4. Remaining astronaut barely survived nose-first reentry of Soyuz 5, still attached to its service module.

Soyuz 7K-L1 mission 1 Planned first manned circumnavigation of the moon. It was decided after the American Apollo 8 lunar orbital flight in December 1968 to cancel any 'second place' Soviet manned circumlunar flights.

Soyuz 7K-L1 mission 2 Planned second Soviet circumlunar flight. Cancelled after the success of the American Apollo 8.

Soyuz sn 14 As of February 1969 Soyuz s/n 14 was set for a solo seven day mission in April-May 1969. The spacecraft and crew were reassigned to the three-spacecraft Soyuz 6/7/8 mission and flew as Soyuz 6.

Soyuz 7K-L1 mission 3 Planned third and final Russian circumlunar flight. Cancelled after the success of the American Apollo 8 in December 1968.

Soyuz s/n 15+16 As of February 1969 Soyuz s/n 15 and 16 were set for a mission with a total of 5 cosmonauts aboard in August-September 1969. They would have remained docked together for three days.

Soyuz 6 First simultaneous flight of three manned spacecraft. First vacuum welding in space. Rendezvous electronics failed in all three craft, scrubbing three-way spacecraft rendezvous mission.

Soyuz 7 First simultaneous flight of three manned spacecraft. The spacecraft was to have docked with Soyuz 8 and exchanged one crew member from each spacecraft while Soyuz 6 took film from nearby. However rendezvous electronics failed in all three craft.

Soyuz 8 First simultaneous flight of three manned spacecraft. The spacecraft was to have docked with Soyuz 7 and exchanged one crew member from each spacecraft while Soyuz 6 took film from nearby. However rendezvous electronics failed in all three craft.

Soyuz 9 Record flight duration. Head-over-heels rotation of Soyuz to conserve fuel and lack of exercise resulted in terrible condition of astronauts on return. The Soviets almost reconsidered their space station plans as a result.


Photo Gallery

Zond 5 capsuleZond 5 capsule
Zond 5 capsule after circumlunar flight.
Credit: RKK Energia


Proton 8K82K/11S824Proton 8K82K/11S824
Proton 8K82K / 11S824 Block D launch vehicle - cutaway drawing showing arrangement of N2O4 oxidiser tanks (green) and UDMH fuel tanks (orange) in Proton, and Liquid oxygen (blue) and kerosene (pink) tanks in the Block D stage. The Soyuz 7K-L1 spacecraft was mounted directly above the Block D liquid oxygen tank. For the Soyuz circumlunar flights a launch escape tower was fitted that pulled the capsule away in an emergency.
Credit: © Mark Wade


Proton w/ LKProton w/ LK
Proton 8K82K Block D launch vehicle with Soyuz 7K-L1 manned circumlunar spacecraft.


Chelomei LK-1Chelomei LK-1
Chelomei LK-1 circumlunar spacecraft. The 2.8 m diameter Apollo-type re-entry capsule was mounted atop a cylindrical service module, which provided power and boosted the spacecraft on a translunar trajectory. The large solar panels would have provided considerably more power than Korolev's competing Soyuz 7K-L1 configuration.
Credit: © Mark Wade


Lunar SpacecraftLunar Spacecraft
Comparison of Chelomei manned spacecraft. Left to right: Chelomei LK-1 circumlunar spacecraft with UR-500K third stage. Chelomei LK-3 lunar landing spacecraft. Chelomei TKS space station resupply tug. Competing Korolev Soyuz 7K-L1 circumlunar spacecraft with Block D translunar injection stage and UR-500K third stage.
Credit: © Mark Wade


Proton 8K82KProton 8K82K
Proton 8K82K launch vehicle in its original form, with Chelomei's manned LK-1 circumlunar spacecraft as the payload.
Credit: © Mark Wade


Chelomei LK-1Chelomei LK-1
Chelomei LK-1 manned circumlunar spacecraft
Credit: © Mark Wade


Zond 5 turtles.Zond 5 turtles.
Credit: RKK Energia


Zond rounding MoonZond rounding Moon
Credit: © Mark Wade


ZondZond
Credit: © Mark Wade


Soyuz 7K-L1Soyuz 7K-L1
Credit: © Mark Wade


Zond motorZond motor
The Soyuz 7K-L1 rocket engine as developed for the circumlunar flights. This deleted the backup engine (presumably the reaction control system thrusters were powerful enough to accomplish mid-course corrections if the main engine failed).
Credit: © Mark Wade


L-1L-1
Drawing of the L1 spacecraft at the Kaluga Museum. Note the hatch clearly shown in the side of the re-entry capsule and the very large inverted cone at the top - much larger than shown in other drawings. Is this a 'posadka' L1?
Credit: © Mark Wade


Gas dynamic tunnelGas dynamic tunnel
Gas dynamic tunnel tests
Credit: © Mark Wade


Soyuz 7K-OKSoyuz 7K-OK
Credit: © Mark Wade


Panel Soyuz 7K-L1Panel Soyuz 7K-L1
Control panel of the circumlunar version of Soyuz, based on photographs inadvertently released in the 1970's.
Credit: © Mark Wade


Soyuz 7K-L1Soyuz 7K-L1
L1 manned circumlunar spacecraft, consisting of 11S824 Block D translunar injection stage and Soyuz 7K-L1 spacecraft.
Credit: © Mark Wade



1959 March 1 - .
1961 June 1 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1962 During the Year - . LV Family: R-7. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511.
1962 April 12 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1962 November 1 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1963 February 1 - . LV Family: R-7. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511.
1963 March 7 - . LV Family: R-7. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511.
1963 October 4 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1963 December 7 - .
1963 December 16 - .
1964 January 3 - .
1964 January 16 - .
1964 January 23 - .
1964 January 27 - .
1964 January 29 - .
1964 February 1 - .
1964 February 5 - .
1964 February 6 - . Launch Vehicle: Saturn I.
1964 February 18 - .
1964 February 26 - .
1964 May 12 - . LV Family: N1. Launch Vehicle: N1 1962.
1964 June 23 - .
1964 July 2 - .
1964 July 19 - .
1964 August 1 - .
1964 September 14 - .
1964 October 28 - .
November 1964 - .
1964 December 30 - .
1965 February 2 - .
1965 April 2 - .
1965 April 20 - .
1965 June 26 - .
1965 August 16 - .
1965 August 18 - .
1965 August 20 - .
1965 October 22 - .
1965 November 24 - .
1965 November 25 - .
1965 December 31 - . LV Family: N1. Launch Vehicle: N1 1964.
1966 January 14 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1966 January 24 - .
1966 February 15 - .
1966 April 4 - .
1966 April 10 - . LV Family: Proton. Launch Vehicle: Proton-K.
1966 April 27 - .
1966 May 3 - .
1966 May 11 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1966 May 19 - .
1966 May 20 - .
1966 July 27 - .
1966 July 28 - .
1966 August 2 - .
1966 August 11 - .
September 1966 - .
1966 September 2 - .
1966 September 2 - . LV Family: Proton. Launch Vehicle: Proton-K.
1966 October 4 - . LV Family: Proton. Launch Vehicle: Proton-K/D.
1966 October 5 - .
1966 October 10 - .
1966 November 17 - .
1966 November 19 - .
1966 November 21 - . LV Family: Proton. Launch Vehicle: Proton-K/D.
1966 December 6 - .
1966 December 10 - .
1966 December 10 - .
1966 December 14 - .
1966 December 24 - . LV Family: Proton. Launch Vehicle: Proton-K.
1966 December 28 - . Launch Vehicle: UR-700.
1966 December 31 - .
1966 December 31 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1967 January - . LV Family: Proton. Launch Vehicle: Proton-K.
1967 January 5 - .
1967 January 17 - .
1967 February 4 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1967 March 10 - . 11:30 GMT - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC81/23. LV Family: Proton. Launch Vehicle: Proton-K/D.
1967 March 14 - .
1967 March 22 - .
1967 March 23 - .
1967 April 8 - . 09:00 GMT - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC81/23. LV Family: Proton. Launch Vehicle: Proton-K/D. FAILURE: Block D ullage rocket failure; no restart.. Failed Stage: U.
1967 April 12 - .
1967 April 29 - .
1967 May 5 - .
1967 May 6 - .
1967 May 15 - .
1967 May 16 - . 21:43 GMT - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC1. LV Family: R-7. Launch Vehicle: Molniya 8K78M.
1967 May 20 - .
1967 May 22 - .
1967 May 26 - .
1967 May 29 - .
1967 July 16 - .
1967 July 24 - .
1967 July 29 - .
1967 August 2 - .
1967 August 8 - .
1967 August 27 - .
1967 September 8 - .
1967 September 19 - .
1967 September 26 - .
1967 September 27 - . 22:11 GMT - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC81/23. LV Family: Proton. Launch Vehicle: Proton-K/D. FAILURE: First stage -1 RD-253 failed, resulting at T+67 sec in deviation from flight path.. Failed Stage: 1.
1967 October 3 - .
1967 October 6 - .
1967 October 7 - . LV Family: Proton. Launch Vehicle: Proton-K.
1967 October 10 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1967 October 16 - .
1967 October 17 - .
1967 October 21 - .
1967 November 16 - .
1967 November 17 - .
1967 November 18 - .
1967 November 21 - . LV Family: Proton. Launch Vehicle: Proton-K.
1967 November 22 - . 19:07 GMT - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC81/24. LV Family: Proton. Launch Vehicle: Proton-K/D. FAILURE: Second stage - 1 x RD-0210 failure, shutoff of stage 4 seconds after ignition. Launcher crashed downrange.. Failed Stage: 2.
1968 January 17 - .
1968 January 23 - .
1968 January 26 - .
1968 January 27 - .
1968 January 30 - .
1968 February 3 - .
1968 February 6 - .
1968 February 7 - . 10:43 GMT - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC1. LV Family: R-7. Launch Vehicle: Molniya 8K78M. FAILURE: At T+524.6 sec Stage 3's engine 11D55 cut off prematurely because it ran out of fuel due to an excessive fuel consumption rate through the gas-generator.. Failed Stage: U.
1968 February 8 - .
1968 February 12 - .
1968 February 21 - . LV Family: Proton. Launch Vehicle: Proton-K/D.
1968 February 28 - .
1968 February 29 - . LV Family: Proton. Launch Vehicle: Proton-K/D.
1968 March 2 - . 18:29 GMT - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC81/23. LV Family: Proton. Launch Vehicle: Proton-K/D.
1968 March 3 - .
1968 March 5 - .
1968 March 6 - .
1968 March 7 - .
1968 March 7 - .
1968 March 12 - .
1968 March 25 - .
1968 March 26 - .
1968 March 27 - .
1968 April 19 - .
1968 April 20 - .
1968 April 21 - .
1968 April 22 - .
1968 April 22 - . 23:01 GMT - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC81/24. LV Family: Proton. Launch Vehicle: Proton-K/D. FAILURE: Second stage shut-off prematurely due to short-circuit in Zond control system.. Failed Stage: 2.
1968 April 23 - .
1968 May 6 - .
1968 May 21 - .
1968 May 24 - .
1968 June 3 - .
1968 June 5 - .
1968 June 26 - .
1968 June 26 - .
July 1968 - . LV Family: Proton. Launch Vehicle: Proton-K.
1968 July 15 - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC81/23. Launch Pad: LC81/pad?. LV Family: Proton. Launch Vehicle: Proton-K/D.
1968 July 21 - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur. LV Family: Proton. Launch Vehicle: Proton-K.
1968 September 10 - .
1968 September 11 - .
1968 September 12 - .
1968 September 13 - .
1968 September 14 - . 21:42 GMT - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC81/23. LV Family: Proton. Launch Vehicle: Proton-K/D.
1968 September 16 - .
1968 September 17 - .
1968 September 19 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1968 September 20 - .
1968 September 21 - .
1968 September 22 - .
1968 September 23 - .
1968 September 28 - .
1968 October 1 - .
1968 October 3 - .
1968 October 4 - .
1968 October 7 - .
1968 October 31 - .
1968 November 9 - .
1968 November 10 - .
1968 November 10 - . 19:11 GMT - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC81/23. LV Family: Proton. Launch Vehicle: Proton-K/D.
1968 November 11 - .
1968 November 13 - .
1968 November 14 - .
1968 November 15 - .
1968 November 16 - .
1968 November 17 - .
1968 November 18 - .
1968 November 20 - .
1968 November 20 - .
1968 November 26 - .
1968 November 29 - .
1968 December 12 - . Launch Vehicle: Spiral 50-50.
1968 December 16 - .
1968 December 22 - .
1968 December 24 - .
1968 December 25 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1968 December 26 - .
1968 December 27 - .
1968 December 27 - .
1968 December 28 - .
1968 December 30 - .
1969 January 6 - .
1969 January 9 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1969 January 11 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1969 January 20 - . 04:14 GMT - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC81/23. LV Family: Proton. Launch Vehicle: Proton-K/D. FAILURE: Second stage - One RD-0210 engine fails at T+510 sec, resulting in flight path deviation, automatic shutoff of launch vehicle.. Failed Stage: 2.
1969 January 29 - .
1969 January 31 - .
1969 March - .
1969 March 20 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1969 May - .
1969 May 10 - .
1969 May 16 - .
1969 May 24 - .
1969 June 1 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1969 June 9 - .
1969 June 10 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1969 June 14 - . 04:00 GMT - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC81/24. LV Family: Proton. Launch Vehicle: Proton-K/D. FAILURE: Block D upper stage did not fire and payload did not attain earth orbit,. Failed Stage: U.
1969 July - .
1969 August 7 - . 23:48 GMT - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC81/23. LV Family: Proton. Launch Vehicle: Proton-K/D.
1969 September 1 - .
1969 September 18 - .
1969 September 19 - .
1969 September 20 - .
1969 December 1 - .
1970 February 28 - .
1970 October 20 - . 19:55 GMT - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC81/23. LV Family: Proton. Launch Vehicle: Proton-K/D.
1970 October 28 - .
1970 October 28 - .
1970 October 31 - . LV Family: Proton. Launch Vehicle: Proton-K.

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