Russian Lunar Program 1975

[NickD]

Hello,
I'm working on the Glushko's lunar base proposition as payloads for Kulch's Vulkan rocket.
The program contains following elements:
-LEK - lunar expedition ship, for direct lunar ascent, without any dockings
-LZhM - lunar living module
-LZM - lunar factory module
-Lunokhod - pressurized rover
-LOK - lunar orbital ship
You can see more here: http://www.astronautix.com/project/lek.htm

Actually now i'm concentrating on the LEK lander. The model is almost finished, and this week i'm planning to start work on DLL.

Some pics:

more pics here: http://picasaweb.google.com/NDimitrov74/OrbiterRelaterPictures

If someone can give me additional pictures or information, i will be very grateful!

 

[TSPenguin]

Very nice project!
I am looking forward to building a "base" with it.
As always, excellent work!

 

[tgep]

Wow !
This looks like a very intresting project. Until now, the only Soviet Lunar stuff we've had are probes and the N1 rocket. I look foreward to flying this one. Will it use simple modules or be SC3 based ?

Very nice work.

 

[Missioncmdr]

Cool! Sounds like another interesting concept that never got off the ground.

 

[NickD]

Wow !
Will it use simple modules or be SC3 based ?

Actually i will write own DLL. This is needed, because i want to implement some non-standard features. At first - there will be a landing assistance automathics with gimballed main engine. Kulch gave the idea and will help me with that. Then descent stage must separate into pieces before entering atmosphere, to release reentry capsule. The capsule iself will change the texture to "burned", when in reentry. Parachute landing with touchdown rockets also needs special programming.

 

[tgep]

Very cool indeed !
Now I'm realy looking foreward to flying this.

 

[Spicer]

Very cool project. Isn't the Vulcan actually the Energya launcher? Can't wait to see the finished product!

 

[NickD]

Not actually. Energia is derived from the Vulkan project, but two are totally different vehicles. Enegia is 100 tonn payload class launcher with side payload configuration, designed primarily to launch Buran Shuttle. Vulkan is 230 tonn payload class launcher with top payload configuration.

 

[silent_protagonist]

Hmm, so does this mean we'll be seeing some more Vulkan development in the near future?

This looks like a really interesting project. I had no idea that the Soviets had anything this ambitious in the planning in the '70s.:speakcool:

 

[sputnik]

Excellent! Looking forward to this!

 

[NickD]

Yes, while i'm preparing the payloads for the Vulkan, Kulch working on the launcher and the launchpad.

Here some screens from his site:
http://www.kulch.spb.ru/Gallery/VULKAN_gallery/Eng/vulkan_gallery.html

This is the link from russian forum, but you can see the pictures from UKKS universal launch pad (which was planned to launch both vulkan and energia) he works on.
http://www.elite-games.ru/conference/viewtopic.php?t=45857

and for last - train-loader for Vulkan:
http://kulch.spb.ru/Images/Temp/Energia_1.jpg
http://kulch.spb.ru/Images/Temp/Energia_2.jpg
http://kulch.spb.ru/Images/Temp/Energia_3.jpg
http://kulch.spb.ru/Images/Temp/Energia_4.jpg

http://kulch.spb.ru/Images/Temp/GK175_1.jpg
http://kulch.spb.ru/Images/Temp/GK175_2.jpg

http://kulch.spb.ru/Images/Temp/Vulkan_1.jpg
http://kulch.spb.ru/Images/Temp/Vulkan_2.jpg

I'm think Kulch is really the best!

 

[NickD]

Late last night i've finished the descent stage modelling. Now it is not only the shell, but have real illuminators, working hatches for UMMU and docking, and inner superstructure. Sorry i didn't post screenshots today, i was very tired at 3.a.m.
It's only left to make some minor details, like antennae, projectors, etc. and some internal details for the orbital stage (This is needed because, at first, you can see internals thru the opened hatch, and the second, the desent stage will be opened before reentry to release reentry capsule, so it will no look good if is empty.)
I hope this evening i will finish with this, and will be able to start with the DLL.

Fir now You can see some conceptual pics of the Soviet lunar base i've found, on my site here:
http://nickd.freehostia.com/OrbiterVault/lek.html

 

[NickD]

Just few more pics - detailing continues.

Ascent stage bottom view

Ascent stage exploded view (separation before reentry) - no interior added yet

A few more screens in the album.

 

[Sunhillow]

Hi Nick,
this is really a great project! It is a pity the Soviets ran out of money.
... and great news to hear Yuri continued work on his Vulkan :speakcool:

Cheers to both of you

 

[Urwumpe]

Shouldn't the Soyuz-type reentry capsule be installed upside down into the Ascent stage, so astronauts can enter it through the top hatch?

 

[NickD]

Shouldn't the Soyuz-type reentry capsule be installed upside down into the Ascent stage, so astronauts can enter it through the top hatch?

In this configuration, the astronauts will be in pose hanging with the heads down just like bats exposed to launch G-forces. This is not good at all. Of course all spacecraft may be turned upside down, when on launcher, but then launch abort system must recover the whole spacecraft, which is very weight ineffective. Rotating astronaut seats can resolve the problem, but not in soyuz type - they will need large amout of internal volume, which is totally missing in soyuz type capsules.

But it is possible your idea was discussed - I've seen this photo:

There is no explanation, for me it is LK-Energia craft with attached reentry capsule of LOK-Energia, but if it is a single craft, it looks like your proposal.

 

[ryan]

Now those LKs are more funnier looking than those Apollo LM would of been odd to fly in space.

 

[C3PO]

Now those LKs are more funnier looking than those Apollo LM would of been odd to fly in space.

:blink:

 

[NickD]

Now those LKs are more funnier looking than those Apollo LM would of been odd to fly in space.

It is fullscale spaceship, capable of lunar landing with overall mass over 56 tonnes.
Compare it with 15 tonnes of Apollo LM or 30 tonnes of the Apollo spacecraft. The ship steering will definitely differ.
And you dont have to bother to align orbits and docking with other modules. Just head up to the moon and return directly.

 

[NickD]

Thats' all - some texturing left and soon i can post ingame screenshots