Soyuz 7K-L1

The Soyuz 7K-L1 was designed to launch men from the Earth to circle the moon in the context of the Soviet Soyuz programme. It was based on the Soyuz 7K-OK with several components stripped out to reduce the vehicle weight. The most notable modifications included the removal of the orbital module (providing extra space for living quarters or equipment) and a reserve parachute. It was the primary hope for Soviet circumlunar flight. Tests in the Zond program from 1967-1970 (Zond 4 to Zond 8) produced multiple failures in the 7K-L1's re-entry systems. The goal was scrapped, along with the two remaining 7K-L1s. Fifteen L1's were completed, of which only five ever returned to Earth.

Planned schedule

As of 1967, the Soyuz 7K-L1 launch schedule was:

Mission:2P -Develop Block D stage -Feb or Mar 67:3P -same -Mar 67:4L -Unmanned lunar flyby -May 67 (actually launched on September 27, 1967, booster failure):5L -Unmanned lunar flyby -Jun 67 (actually launched on November 22, 1967, booster failure):6L -Manned lunar flyby -Jun or Jul 67:7L&8L -Manned lunar flybys -Aug 67 (7L actually launched on April 23, 1968 as Zond 1968A, booster failure; 8L actually launched on July 21, 1968, booster explosion) :9L&10L -Manned lunar flybys -Sep 67 (10L planned to launch as Zond 9, cancelled):11L&12L -Manned lunar flybys -Oct 67:13L -Reserve spacecraft (actually launched on January 20, 1969 as Zond 1969A, booster failure;)

Built spacecraft

Fifteen Soyuz 7K-L1 were built.

*s/n 1 - prototype not equipped with heat shield, intended to perfect orbital operation of the spacecraft without recovery of the capsule.
*s/n 2 - prototype not equipped with heat shield, intended to perfect orbital operation of the spacecraft without recovery of the capsule.
*s/n 3 -
*s/n 4 - launched on September 27, 1967, booster failure
*s/n 5 - launched on November 22, 1967, booster failure
*s/n 6 -
*s/n 7 - launched on April 23, 1968 as Zond 1968A, destroyed
*s/n 8 - launched on July 21, 1968, destroyed
*s/n 9 -
*s/n 10 - planned to launch as Zond 9, cancelled
*s/n 11 - launched as Zond 7
*s/n 12 - launched on November 10, 1968 as Zond 6, returned to Earth on November 17, 1968
*s/n 13 - launched on January 20, 1969 as Zond 1969A, failure, capsule recovered.
*s/n 14 - launched on October 20, 1970 as Zond 8, returned to Earth on October 27, 1970
*s/n 15 - planned to launch as Zond 10, cancelled

Test missions

*Cosmos 146
** Launched March 10, 1967
** Prototype Soyuz 7K-L1P launched by Proton into planned highly elliptical earth orbit.
*(Soyuz 7K-L1 s/n 4L)
** Launched September 27, 1967
** First stage -1 RD-253 failed, resulting at T+67 sec in deviation from flight path.
*(Soyuz 7K-L1 s/n 5L)
** Launched November 22, 1967
** Second stage - 1 x RD-0210 failure, shutoff of stage 4 seconds after ignition. Launcher crashed downrange.
*Zond 4
** Launched March 2, 1968
** Study of remote regions of circumterrestrial space, development of new on-board systems and units of space stations.
** Returned to Earth March 7, 1968 - Self destruct system automatically blew up the capsule at 10 to 15 km altitude, 180-200 km off the African coast at Guinea.
*Zond 1968A (Soyuz 7K-L1 s/n 7L)
** Launched April 23, 1968
** Second stage failed 260 seconds after launch.
** Attempted Lunar flyby
*(Zond 7K-L1 s/n 8L)
** Launched July 21, 1968
**Block D stage exploded on pad, killing three people.
*Zond 5
** Launched September 15, 1968
** Circumlunar September 18, 1968
** Returned to Earth September 21, 1968
*Zond 6 (Soyuz 7K-L1 s/n 12)
** Launched November 10, 1968
** Circumlunar November 14, 1968
** Returned to Earth November 17, 1968
*Zond 1969A (Soyuz 7K-L1 s/n 13L)
** Launched January 20, 1969
** Stage two shutdown 25 seconds early. Automatic flight abort. Capsule was safely recovered.
** Attempted Lunar flyby
*Zond L1S-1
** Launched February 21, 1969
** First stage failure. Capsule escape system fired 70 seconds after launch. Capsule was recovered.
** Attempted Lunar orbiter and N1 rocket test
*Zond L1S-2
** Launched July 3, 1969
** First stage failure. Zond capsule was recovered.
** Attempted Lunar orbiter and N1 rocket test
*Zond 7
** Launched August 7, 1969
** Lunar flyby August 11, 1969
** Returned to Earth August 14, 1969
*Zond 8 (Soyuz 7K-L1 s/n 14)
** Launched October 20, 1970
** Lunar flyby October 24, 1970
** Returned to Earth October 27, 1970
*Zond 9 (Soyuz 7K-L1 s/n 10L)
** Planned but canceled
*Zond 10 ((Soyuz 7K-L1 s/n 15L)
** Planned but canceled

External links