Soyuz A

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Soyuz-A (7K) manned spacecraft concept (1963)

Soyuz-A (7K) manned spacecraft concept (1963)
Description
Role: Planned to carry cosmonauts to lunar orbit.
Crew: 3
Dimensions
Height: 7.4 m
Diameter: 2.50 m
Volume: 6.2 m³
Performance
Endurance: 30 days
Soyuz A-B-C (7K-9K-11K) circumlunar concept. The drawing shows Soyuz-A 7K (right), Soyuz-B 9K booster, and Soyuz-C 11K tanker with twin whip antennas (left)
Soyuz A-B-C (7K-9K-11K) circumlunar concept. The drawing shows Soyuz-A 7K (right), Soyuz-B 9K booster, and Soyuz-C 11K tanker with twin whip antennas (left)

Sergei Korolev initially promoted the Soyuz A-B-C circumlunar complex (7K-9K-11K) concept (also known as L1) in which a two-man craft Soyuz-A 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-A 7K spacecraft, the complex would feature a Soyuz-B 9K booster and a Soyuz-C 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.

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: