Country of origin Soviet Union Launched None | Status Cancelled | |
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Applications Carry up to three cosmonauts to lunar orbit. Derivatives Soyuz 7K-OK (first Soyuz generation to fly manned) Manufacturer S. P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia Derivative Soyuz 7K-OK (first Soyuz generation to fly manned) Regimes Low Earth orbit, Medium Earth orbit Similar Soyuz 7K‑OK, Soyuz 7K‑T, Soyuz 7K‑LOK, Soyuz 7K‑OKS, Soyuz 7K‑L1 | ||
Sergei Korolev initially promoted the Soyuz A-B-V circumlunar complex (7K-9K-11K) concept (also known as L1) in which a two-man craft Soyuz 7K would rendezvous with other components (9K and 11K) in Earth orbit to assemble a lunar excursion vehicle, the components being delivered by the proven R-7 rocket.
Besides the Soyuz 7K spacecraft, the complex would feature a Soyuz 9K booster and a Soyuz 11K tanker with twin whip antennas.
The 7K would have been equipped with cameras and sensors to study the lunar surface during the flyby, at a distance of 1,000 to 20,000 km from the Moon's surface. Total flight time would have been 7 to 8 days.
References
Soyuz-A Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA