LK-1 explained

LK-1
Manufacturer:	OKB-52
Country:	Soviet Union
Applications:	Carry cosmonauts around the Moon and back to Earth
Derivatives:	LK-700, TKS spacecraft
Status:	Canceled

LK-1 was a projected Soviet crewed lunar flyby spacecraft. It would be launched on a three-stage Proton launch vehicle. The project started in 1962 under the lead engineer Vladimir Chelomey,^[1] with the first flight planned for 1967.

The LK-1 had its origin in several early 1960s spacecraft projects under the generic names of kosmoplans and raketoplans.^[2]

In 1965 the project was cancelled in favour of the Soyuz 7K-L1 spacecraft.^[2]

Further developments came as the LK-700 direct-descent lunar lander program.

Configuration

The spacecraft consisted of the following modules:

• ADU Emergency Engine Unit
• VA Capsule (crew module)
• PAB Equipment-Rocket System Block (service module)
• RB Translunar Injection Stage

Characteristics

• Crew Size: 2
• Spacecraft delta v: 3,300 m/s
• Electric System: 2.00 average kW.
• Gross mass: 17,000 kg
• Un-fuelled mass: 4,000 kg
• Height: 5.20 m
• Span: 7.27 m

External links

• Encyclopedia Astronautica

• • LK-1, with an image of an assembled translunar spacecraft

Notes and References

1. Web site: The Soviet Manned Lunar Program.
2. Web site: LK-1. https://web.archive.org/web/20011225105321/http://www.astronautix.com/craft/lk1.htm. dead. December 25, 2001.