Soyuz 11A511L - 12,568 bytes. 113 x 471 pixels.

11A511 with reinforced second stage, large fairing for earth orbit test of LK lunar lander.

Launches: 3. Failures: 0. Success Rate: 100.00% pct. First Launch Date: 24 November 1970. Last Launch Date: 12 August 1971. LEO Payload: 5,500 kg. to: 200 km Orbit. at: 51.6 degrees.

• Cosmos 379 Spacecraft: LK. Payload: Lunar Craft T2K no. 1. Mass: 5,500 kg.

  LK moon lander test using the T2K version. First use of the Soyuz 11A511L booster modified especially for this purpose. The spacecraft made a series of engine burns, simulating the lunar landing profile. After 3.5 days in orbit, the first burn was made in imitation of a descent to the lunar surface after separation of the Block D lunar crasher stage. The orbit changed from 192 km X 233 km to 196 km X 1206 km orbit; delta V: 263 m/s. After 4 days in orbit, a large manoeuvre was made simulating the ascent from the lunar surface. The orbit was changed from 188 km X 1198 km to 177 km X 14,041 km; delta V: 1518 m/s. These main manoeuvres were followed by a series of small adjustments simulating rendezvous and docking with the LOK. The LK tested out without major problems and decayed from orbit on September 21, 1983.

• Cosmos 398 Spacecraft: LK. Payload: Lunar Craft T2K no. 2. Mass: 5,500 kg.

  Second space test of the LK moon lander test using the T2K version. Followed the same programme as Cosmos 379.
  Maneuver Summary:
  189km X 252km orbit to 186km X 1189km orbit. Delta V: 251 m/s
  186km X 1189km orbit to 200km X 10905km orbit. Delta V: 1320 m/s
  Total Delta V: 2832 m/s.
  Officially: Investigation of the upper atmosphere and outer space.

• Cosmos 434 Spacecraft: LK. Payload: Lunar Craft T2K no. 3. Mass: 5,500 kg.

  Final LK moon lander test using the T2K version.
  Maneuver Summary:
  188km X 267km orbit to 190km X 1261km orbit. Delta V: 266 m/s
  188km X 1262km orbit to 180km X 11384km orbit. Delta V: 1333 m/s
  Total Delta V: 1599 m/s. Ten years later the spacecraft was due to re-enter over Australia soon after the Skylab scare. The Soviet Union told the people of Australia not to worry, it was only an experimental lunar cabin - the first inadvertent admission that their manned lunar project even existed!

• 89 - Semenov, Yu. P., S P Korolev Space Corporation Energia, RKK Energia, 1994.