Two N-1s on pad image
Two N-1s on their launch pads, circa late June 1969. In the foreground is rocket 5L, and in the background is the training vehicle 1M1. The main difference between the two launchers was that the 1M1 had an inert launch escape tower, and was slightly overweight for a mission to Earth orbit in comparison to the 5L rocket. Additionally, the engines on 1M1's first stage were not "flight rated," in that there was not approval for these engines to have propellant flow through them. However, all other items were nearly identical, including guidance and control packages, radio-frequency transmitters, fuelling procedures and so forth. Based on presently available information, it appears that even the payloads were configured quite similarly. Of special note is the "clean room" that is fully extended and abut against the upper-most access area for the payload on the 5L rocket, where the lunar orbiter and lunar lander were situated. These "rooms" were air-conditioned so that engineers could work at an optimum pacing in the heat of the Baikonur day.
PHOTO CREDIT: Courtesy G. Omelchenko
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
