Lunar Expeditionary Complex
This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (October 2015) |
The LEK Lunar Expeditionary Complex was a lunar expedition and
N1-L3 crewed Moon expedition program
. If implemented, it was intended to have been operational by 1980 and used for scientific and engineering research.
Hardware
The Vulkan-LEK project was based on new superheavy launcher developed in Glushko's bureau.
The moonbase design consisted of a number of modules, including:
- The LZM ("Laboratory-Factory Module"), a 15.5-ton pressurized module to be used for oxygen production and scientific experiments.
- The LZhM ("Laboratory-Habitation Module"), 21.5-ton habitation module where cosmonautswere to reside.
- A nuclear power stationto provide electricity.
- A simple transport vehicle to ferry supplies to and from a lunar orbit.
Project termination
The project was cancelled in 1976 when a Russian Academy of Sciences Commission ruled that resources should be targeted toward projects primarily adding economic value rather than for national prestige.
See also
- Zvezda (moonbase)
- Soviet Moonshot
- Space race
References
- ^ "Lunokhod LEK". www.astronautix.com. Archived from the original on 2008-01-17. Retrieved 2008-02-05.
External links
- the LEK Lunar Expeditionary Complex at astronautix.com.
- Entry at russianspaceweb.com.