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Lunar L3
Apollo vs N1-L3
Apollo vs N1-L3
Apollo CSM / LM vs L3 Lunar Complex
Credit: © Mark Wade
The Soviet program to land a man on the moon and return him safely to earth.



Subtopics

Soviet Lunar Landing The Russians were never able to have enough success with the N1 booster to have a serious schedule for the first Soviet lunar landing. In January 1969, before the first N1 launch, it was not expected that a Soviet landing would take place until 1972 at the earliest.

Soyuz n 17 Cancelled 16 day mission with Soyuz n 17 to conduct rendezvous and docking operations and demonstrate life support system for the LK manned lunar lander.

Soyuz n 18 Cancelled 16 day mission with Soyuz n 18 to conduct rendezvous and docking operations and demonstrate life support system for the LOK manned lunar orbiter.

L3-1 Planned first Soviet manned lunar landing, slated by end 1969 before N1 flight tests began in early 1969. Crew possibly Leonov and Makarov.

Soyuz n 19 The active spacecraft in the second planned test of the Kontakt lunar rendezvous/docking system. These would have been 15 to 16 day missions to demonstrate both the new SZhO life support system for the L3, to conduct rendezvous and docking operations using the L3's Kontakt system, and to conduct EVA transfer of one cosmonaut.

Soyuz n 20 Passive spacecraft in the second planned test of the Kontakt lunar rendezvous/docking system. One or two of the crew would have spacewalked to the Soyuz 11 Kontakt and returned in the other spacecraft.

L3-2 Planned first Soviet manned lunar landing, slated for 1970 before N1 flight tests began in early 1969. Crew possibly Bykovsky and Rukavishnikov.

L3-3 Planned first Soviet manned lunar landing, slated for 1970 before N1 flight tests began in early 1969. Crew possibly Popovich and Sevastyanov.

Soyuz sn 18 Soyuz s/n 18 would have been the active spacecraft of the first dual-spacecraft test of the Kontakt docking system. A crew transfer using the Krechet spacesuit would presumably have taken place.

Soyuz sn 19 Soyuz s/n 19 was to have been equipped with the passive Kontakt rendezvous/docking system of the LK lunar lander. It would have been the docking target for Soyuz s/n 18. A crew transfer using the Krechet spacesuit would presumably have taken place.

Soyuz sn 20 Soyuz s/n 20 would have been the active spacecraft of the second dual launch to test the Kontakt lunar orbit rendezvous system. A crew transfer using the Krechet spacesuit would presumably have taken place.

Soyuz sn 21 Soyuz s/n 21 equipped with the passive Kontakt rendezvous/docking system of the LK lunar lander. Would have served as a docking target for Soyuz s/n 20 . A crew transfer using the Krechet spacesuit would presumably have taken place.

Soyuz sn 22 Soyuz s/n 22 would have been the active spacecraft of the second dual launch to test the Kontakt lunar orbit rendezvous system. A crew transfer using the Krechet spacesuit would presumably have taken place.

Soyuz sn 23 Soyuz s/n 23 would have been equipped with the passive Kontakt rendezvous/docking system of the LK lunar lander. The spacecraft would have served as a docking target for Soyuz s/n 22.

Soyuz Kontakt A Final crews selected for a dual Soyuz mission in Earth orbit to test the Kontakt docking system to be used on the lunar landing LOK and LK spacecraft. The Kontakt-A Soyuz would have been the active spacecraft, simulating the LOK lunar orbiter.

Soyuz Kontakt P Final crews selected for a dual Soyuz mission in Earth orbit to test the Kontakt docking system to be used on the lunar landing LOK and LK spacecraft. The Kontakt-P Soyuz would have been the passive spacecraft, simulating the LK lunar lander.

People: Mishin, Afanasyev, Sergei, Kirillov, Dorofeyev. Country: Russia. Spacecraft: Luna E-6LS, Soyuz 7K-L1A, Soyuz 7K-L1E, LK, Soyuz 7K-LOK. Flights: Apollo 11, Soyuz n 17, Soyuz n 18, Soyuz n 19, Soyuz n 20, Soyuz sn 18, Soyuz sn 19, Soyuz sn 20, Soyuz sn 21, Soyuz sn 22, Soyuz sn 23, Soviet Lunar Landing, Soyuz Kontakt A, Soyuz Kontakt P. Launch Vehicles: Molniya 8K78M, Proton-K/D, Soyuz 11A511L, N1 1969. Launch Sites: Baikonur. Agency: RVSN, MOM.
Photo Gallery

LK OverheadLK Overhead
Overhead view of the LK lander, showing Kontakt docking system hexagonal grid docking structure. Exit hatch and ladder are to the right; scallop for main view port at front. Two high gain antennae at either side provided transmission of television from the lunar surface to earth.


N1 CutawayN1 Cutaway
Dimensioned Russian cutaway drawing of N1 launch vehicle.


L3 CutawayL3 Cutaway
Dimensioned Russian cutaway drawing of L3 manned lunar landing complex.


LK landing legLK landing leg
View of the landing leg to the cosmonaut's front left. Note the solid rocket motors mounted above each leg that fired DOWN to settle the LK securely on the surface once the lander was near the surface. Yangel OKB tests proved such rockets greatly improved the chances of the rocket not toppling if landing on a 30 degree slope or with one leg on a moon rock. The descent ladder is seen to the right of the picture.
Credit: © Mark Wade


LOK Orbital ModuleLOK Orbital Module
LOK Orbital Module, view down from top of spacecraft toward Soyuz descent module.
Credit: © Mark Wade


LK Test ArticleLK Test Article
Subscale dynamic test article of a late configuration of the LK, as preserved in the TsniiMash museum. This shows well the complex shape of the Lunar Cabin and the final LPU configuration.
Credit: © Mark Wade


LOK Orbital ModuleLOK Orbital Module
LOK Orbital Module, docking control station. The manoeuvring panel and controls were located where the grey dummy panel is. It is flanked by hand controllers. The cosmonaut would look through the cupola to accomplish manual docking with the LK after its return from the lunar surface.
Credit: © Mark Wade


LK Main EngineLK Main Engine
The LK engine cluster at the base of the lander. The single chamber RD-858 of the 2,050 kgf main engine is at the centre. It is flanked by the two nozzles of the RD-859 2,045 kgf backup engine. The smaller nozzles are exhaust nozzles for the turbines of the pump-fed engines. At landing or takeoff, both the primary and backup engines would ignite. Only if both engines were operating, would one shut down. The thick clamshell doors closed over the engines after landing to insulate them and prevent ingestion of lunar soil.
Credit: © Mark Wade


LOK reaction controlLOK reaction control
The upper half of this item is the ODOP (Orientation and docking engine section) of the LOK, mounted at the top of the orbital module. The cone at top was had grapples for snagging the hexagonal grid of the large disk on top of the LK. Propellants for the orientation and manoeuvring engines were in the tanks in this section. The bottom half of this item is similar to a test installation used on the Soyuz 7K-L1S destroyed in the several N1 launches.
Credit: © Mark Wade


LK Two ViewLK Two View
Two view layout drawing of LK lunar lander.
Credit: © Mark Wade


LOK Descent ModuleLOK Descent Module
LOK Descent Module detail. The ablative material is far thicker than on the standard Soyuz descent module for the re-entry from lunar distances at twice the energy as that from earth orbit.
Credit: © Mark Wade


Early LK Test ModelEarly LK Test Model
Dynamic Test Model of Early LK Concept.
Credit: © Mark Wade


LK drawing at KalugaLK drawing at Kaluga
Cutaway drawing of LK lunar lander, showing position of cosmonaut in cabin.
Credit: e


LKLK
Detail forward view drawing of the LK lunar lander.
Credit: © Mark Wade


LOK Block I forwardLOK Block I forward
View of the dome covering the pressurized instrument compartment of the LOK.
Credit: © Mark Wade


LK ladder baseLK ladder base
Detail of the base of the ladder, showing the battery racks below the ladder. Note the shape of the foot pad.
Credit: © Mark Wade


LK panelsLK panels
The cosmonauts' view of the LK viewports and control panels. On the left, environmental control and cabin depressurisation controls (light blue panel); radio controls (dark green panel); large porthole looking down at lunar surface during landing. The small porthole looked upward for docking. The optical devices that were associated with these portholes are not present in this mock-up. To the right, sequencer panel for calling up sequences for manoeuvres, landing, rendezvous, and docking. Guarded switches initiated major events. One of two hand controllers is visible below the green radio panel.
Credit: © Mark Wade


LOK Descent ModuleLOK Descent Module
LOK Descent Module and Orbital Module. Note the cupola at the left top of the Orbital Module. On the opposite wall are the lunar mapping camera apertures and control station.
Credit: © Mark Wade


LOK Block I sideLOK Block I side
View of the LOK Block I instrument/rocket module. The fragile radiators, arrayed around the main fuel tank, extended away from the body of the spacecraft in flight. The silvery instrument section has numerous patch panels for connecting external wiring. The tapered interstage with stringers connected to the Soyuz descent module. Large 'mooring' thrusters arrayed around this section provided high-authority manoeuvring capability for the LOK in its rendezvous and docking with the LK.
Credit: © Mark Wade


LKLK
Overall view of the LK preserved at the Orevo Museum of the Bauman Moscow State Technical University.
Credit: © Mark Wade


Soyuz LOKSoyuz LOK
Soyuz LOK lunar orbiter.
Credit: © Mark Wade


LOK Orbital ModuleLOK Orbital Module
LOK Orbital Module. Note the far greater amount of external cabling and connecting plates than in the standard Soyuz.
Credit: © Mark Wade


S5.51 LOK engineS5.51 LOK engine
Side view of the twin-chamber Isayev S5.51 engine used in the Soyuz 7K-LOK lunar orbiter. The two smaller chambers of the S5.52 supplemental engine protude beyond the main engine bells to either side.
Credit: © Mark Wade


LOK Block I sideLOK Block I side
View of the LOK Block I. Noticeable are the fragile radiator panels, and the large manoeuvring thrusters at the forward end. The large cylindrical devices are sensors of the attitude control system.
Credit: © Mark Wade


S5.51 LOK engineS5.51 LOK engine
The complex plumbing fed numerous smaller attitude control thrusters at the base of the LOK.
Credit: © Mark Wade


LOK Orbital ModuleLOK Orbital Module
LOK Orbital Module interior
Credit: © Mark Wade


LOK Lunar OrbiterLOK Lunar Orbiter
The Soyuz 7K-LOK lunar orbiter spacecraft to be used in the L3 lunar landing project complex.
Credit: © Mark Wade


Chelomei LK-700Chelomei LK-700
Chelomei LK-700 manned direct lunar landing spacecraft - cruise and landed configurations
Credit: © Mark Wade


Soyuz 7K-LOKSoyuz 7K-LOK
Soyuz 7K-LOK manned lunar orbit spacecraft.
Credit: © Mark Wade


Krechet SpacesuitKrechet Spacesuit
Front view of the Krechet lunar space suit
Credit: Andy Salmon


Krechet SpacesuitKrechet Spacesuit
Krechet lunar space suit as displayed at NPO Zvezda. As in the Orlan suit still used on Mir, the cosmonaut entered the suit by swinging open a hatch at the rear. The backpack containing the life support system was housed in the backpack which made up the hatch door. As in Apollo, the gold-coated outer visor of the helmet reflected ultra-violet radiation. The integrated Kretchet design meant that no external hoses were required as in the American Apollo suit.
Credit: Andy Salmon



1959 December 31 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1962 During the Year - . Launch Vehicle: UR-700.
1962 August 1 - .
1963 March 21 - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC110L. Launch Vehicle: N1.
1963 September 1 - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC110L. Launch Vehicle: N1.
1964 February 12 - . LV Family: N1. Launch Vehicle: N1 1962.
1964 February 18 - .
1964 July 19 - .
1964 July 21 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1964 August 1 - .
1964 September 1 - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC110L. Launch Vehicle: N1.
1964 September 14 - .
1964 October 28 - .
1964 October 31 - . Launch Vehicle: UR-700.
November 1964 - .
During 1965 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1965 February 2 - .
1965 February 10 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
Spring 1965 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1965 March 2 - .
1965 September 1 - . LV Family: N1. Launch Vehicle: N1 1964.
1965 December 20 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1966 February 1 - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC110L. Launch Vehicle: N1.
1966 February 14 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1966 February 17 - .
1966 May 11 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1966 July 10 - .
1966 July 28 - .
1966 August 2 - .
September 1966 - .
1966 September 2 - .
1966 October 5 - .
1966 November 10 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1966 November 15 - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur. Launch Vehicle: N1.
1966 November 16 - .
1966 November 19 - .
1966 December 28 - . Launch Vehicle: UR-700.
During 1967 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1967 February 1 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1967 February 4 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1967 March 14 - .
1967 March 15 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1967 March 31 - .
1967 June 15 - . LV Family: N1. Launch Vehicle: N1M.
1967 August 2 - .
1967 August 15 - .
1967 August 31 - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC110R. Launch Vehicle: N1.
1967 September 20 - .
1967 October 3 - .
1967 October 10 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1967 October 15 - .
1967 October 21 - .
1967 October 29 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1967 November 13 - .
1967 November 25 - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC110L. Launch Vehicle: N1.
1967 December 2 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1967 December 3 - .
1967 December 15 - .
1967 December 27 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1968 January 17 - .
1968 January 23 - .
1968 January 28 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1968 February 3 - .
1968 February 8 - .
1968 March 1 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1968 March 7 - .
1968 March 13 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1968 March 14 - .
1968 March 20 - .
1968 April 4 - .
1968 April 7 - . 10:09 GMT - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC1. LV Family: R-7. Launch Vehicle: Molniya 8K78M.
1968 April 18 - .
1968 April 21 - .
1968 May 7 - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC110R. Launch Vehicle: N1.
1968 June 23 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1968 June 30 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1968 July 10 - .
1968 July 12 - .
1968 July 29 - .
1968 August 2 - .
1968 September 10 - .
1968 September 19 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1968 October 24 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1968 November 15 - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC110R. Launch Vehicle: N1.
1968 November 21 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1968 November 26 - .
1968 December 12 - . Launch Vehicle: Spiral 50-50.
1968 December 16 - .
1968 December 23 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1968 December 25 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1968 December 25 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1968 December 26 - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC110R. Launch Vehicle: N1.
1968 December 30 - .
1968 December 31 - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC110L. Launch Vehicle: N1.
1969 January 6 - .
1969 January 9 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1969 January 11 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1969 January 13 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1969 January 22 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1969 January 23 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1969 January 25 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1969 January 27 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1969 January 29 - .
1969 January 30 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1969 January 31 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1969 February 3 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1969 February 6 - .
1969 February 9 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1969 February 11 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1969 February 21 - . 09:18 GMT - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC110R. LV Family: N1. Launch Vehicle: N-1 11A52. FAILURE: First stage failure.. Failed Stage: 1.
1969 March 3 - .
1969 March 10 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1969 March 20 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1969 March 29 - .
1969 May 8 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1969 May 10 - .
1969 May 16 - .
1969 May 24 - .
1969 May 29 - .
1969 June 1 - .
1969 June 1 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1969 June 10 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1969 June 13 - .
1969 June 18 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1969 June 20 - .
1969 July 3 - . 20:18 GMT - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC110R. LV Family: N1. Launch Vehicle: N-1 11A52. FAILURE: First stage failure.. Failed Stage: 1.
1969 July 21 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1969 July 22 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1969 August 1 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1969 August 1 - . LV Family: Proton. Launch Vehicle: Proton-K/D.
1969 September 1 - .
1969 September 3 - .
1969 September 18 - .
1969 September 19 - .
1969 September 24 - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC110L. Launch Vehicle: N1.
1969 October 5 - .
1969 October 19 - .
1969 November - .
1969 November - .
1969 November 5 - .
1969 December 26 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1969 December 31 - .
1970 February 20 - .
1970 February 25 - .
1970 February 26 - .
1970 February 27 - .
1970 February 28 - .
1970 February-March - .
1970 February-March - .
1970 April 18 - .
1970 May 18 - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC110L. Launch Vehicle: N1.
1970 September 23 - .
1970 September 24 - .
1970 October 6 - .
1970 October 16 - .
1970 October 23 - .
1970 October 24 - .
1970 October 28 - .
1970 November 24 - . 05:15 GMT - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC31. LV Family: R-7. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511L.
1970 December 2 - . 17:00 GMT - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC81/23. LV Family: Proton. Launch Vehicle: Proton-K/D.
1970 December 19 - .
1970 December 30 - .
1970 December 31 - . Launch Vehicle: UR-700.
1971 January 5 - .
1971 February 5 - .
1971 February 26 - . 05:06 GMT - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC31. LV Family: R-7. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511L.
1971 March 1 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1971 March 4 - .
1971 April 13 - .
1971 April 14 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1971 April 14 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1971 April 15 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1971 May 15 - . LV Family: N1. Launch Vehicle: N1M.
1971 May 15 - .
1971 June 1 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1971 June 15 - .
1971 June 24 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1971 June 26 - . 23:15 GMT - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC110L. LV Family: N1. Launch Vehicle: N-1 11A52. FAILURE: First stage failed.. Failed Stage: 1.
1971 June 27 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1971 June 29 - .
1971 July 4 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1971 August 12 - . 05:30 GMT - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC31. LV Family: R-7. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511L.
1972 Early - .
1972 Early - .
1972 January 1 - .
1972 Early - .
1972 Early - .
1972 - .
1972 - .
1972 June 1 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1972 August 15 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1972 August 21 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1972 September 20 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1972 October 14 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1972 November 16 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1972 November 21 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1972 November 23 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1972 November 23 - . 06:11 GMT - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC110L. LV Family: N1. Launch Vehicle: N-1 11A52. FAILURE: Failure. Failed Stage: 1.
1973 January 1 - . LV Family: N1. Launch Vehicle: N1F-L3M.
1973 Early - .
1973 Early - .
1974 May 1 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1974 May 2 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1974 August 13 - .
1974 August 14 - . Launch Vehicle: N1.
1975 January 1 - .
1976 May 1 - .

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