| Soviet lunar launcher N-1 (11A52) |
Russian variant |
TzeKaBeJem under the leadership of Sergey.P.Koroljov
initiated the work on the launcher, significantly more powerful than "VOSTOK"
and "MOLNIJA" -"SOYUZ", in the begining of 60s. The
last named were in use alreay and being based on R-7 ICBM were able to
put approximately 7 tones on low Earth orbit (LEO).
September 9 1962 CPSU Central Comitee adopted the programme of N-1 launcher
creation during 1962-1965. It has to be able to place 40-50 tones on LEO.
It was planed to follow it with N-2 launcher 60-80 tones capacity. As soon
as US "APOLLO" programme progressed it was desided to stop N-2
and convert N-1 in order to fullfill manned lunar programme. In the final
configuration N-1 contained seven blocks: "A".",
"B","V", "G"., "
"Di"., "Yi".
The first three were to place booster on LEO. They were arranged as it
was never used. Fuel components were placed in spherical hanged tanks.
The largest one - "A" block LOX tank has 12 m diameter. In order
to prevent resonance phenomenons fuel components feed lines were going
to the engines around tanks covered with special housings. The first stage
("A"-block) were mounted with 30 (24 initially) 154 t liquid
propelant engines (LPE) NK-33 (11D111). They were designed in N.D.Kuznetsov
design bureau. 24 LPE were located on the aft perimeter. Anothet 6 - in
the aft center. "A" block multi engine mount was not tested on
the Earth because of absence of money. This was the main technical matter
of N-1 programme falue There were 8 X 179 t LPE NK-43 (11D112) mounted
on the "B" block. "V" block (11V54) posessed 4 X 41
t LPE NK-39. Blocks "G", "D", "Je" and "I"
were a part of interplanetary (lunar) spaceship L-3. For Moon reaching
"G" block (11G56) were used. It has one LPE NK-31. "D"
block (11D58) was to provide maneuring and damping near the lunar surface.
Later this block was used in PROTON booster. After damping special lander
(designed in M.K. Yangel design bureau) with one crew member was to perform
soft landing on the Moon. Little time of this operations and specifick
landing dynamics dictated high requirements to lander pilot and guidance
system also. But this part of fligh was completely tested and prepared.
After fulfilling of the scientific programme "Je" block was to
place lander into lunar orbit. Than it was to dock lunar orbital spaceship
LOK (Souz is using it's fragments) with the second crew member. Returning
back to Earth was provided by "I" block. It was planned to use
N-1 for more complicated and long lunar expeditions, creation of heavy
orbital stations, interplanetary voyages. Without "A" block it
can be used as more light class launcher.
