The Soviet Space Program: The Lunar Mission Years: 1959-1976

The N1 was the booster rocket for the Soviet manned moon program and was thus the direct counterpart of the Saturn V, the rocket that took American astronauts to the moon in 1969. Standing 345 feet tall, the N1 was the largest rocket ever built by the Soviets and was roughly the same height and weight as the Saturn. Though initially ahead of the US in the space race, the Soviets lagged behind as the pace for being first on the moon accelerated. Massive technical and personnel difficulties, plus spectacular failures, repeatedly delayed the N1 program. After the successful American landings on the moon, it was finally canceled without the N1 ever achieving orbit. The complete history of this rarely known Soviet program is presented here, starting in 1959, along with detailed technical descriptions of the N1's design and development. A full discussion of its attempted launches, disasters, and ultimate cancellation in 1974 completes this definitive history.

Author: Eugen Reichl
Publisher: Schiffer Military
Published: 03/28/2019
Pages: 160
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.45lbs
Size: 9.10h x 6.10w x 0.80d
ISBN13: 9780764356759
ISBN10: 0764356755
BISAC Categories:
- Science | Space Science | General
- History | Europe | Spain
- Technology & Engineering | Aeronautics & Astronautics

About the Author
Eugen Reichl works for the EADS aviation and aerospace company. He is a known expert on aerospace technology and has authored books and specialty articles on the topic.