UR-700: about the rocket project, which hypothetically could allow the USSR to win the “lunar race”
In the 1960s, the USSR and the USA actively developed programs for lunar exploration. In the Soviet Union at that time there were two launch vehicle projects for flights to the natural satellite of the Earth - N1-L3, created under the leadership of S.P. Korolev, and UR-700, proposed by the general designer of OKB No. 52 V.N. Chelomeem as an alternative.
The uniqueness of the latter project was that it envisaged the fastest possible creation of a super-heavy lunar rocket based on components of already existing launch vehicles.
Unfortunately, the Soviet program of flights to the Moon was curtailed before the UR-700 could get to the launch pad. However, some experts believe that Chelomey’s rocket was ahead of its time in a number of ways and could have allowed the USSR to win the “lunar race” against the United States.
A special feature of the UR-700 launch vehicle was that it was designed according to a direct flight pattern, excluding intermediate connections. This simplified the rocket design and flight program, but required the use of a more powerful launch vehicle.
As a result, Chelomey’s lunar rocket had the following design. UR-700 was made according to a three-stage scheme.
As the first stage, six side blocks were used, which were docked in pairs to the launch vehicle according to a package scheme. In addition to the fuel and oxidizer, these side blocks additionally housed overflow tanks in the upper part, which fed the second, central stage before the separation of the first. Lattice-type aerodynamic stabilizers were also installed on these blocks.
The second stage consisted of three blocks similar to those described above, connected together.
Both the first and second stages were equipped with RD-270 engines. To this day, these units are the most powerful of the single-chamber units that were developed in the USSR and Russia. There were a total of 9 such engines on both stages.
The third stage of the UR-700 was designed on the basis of the first stage of the UR-500 with the number of side blocks reduced to three. In the central part there was a tank with fuel, and in the side parts - with an oxidizer.
The third stage of the Chelomey super-heavy rocket was equipped with three RD-254 engines.
At the same time, I visited V.N. Chelomeya and his own concept of a lunar ship.
The latter included four main stages, which were sequentially tested during the flight, and a descent module with a crew of 2 people.
The energy supply of the LC was carried out using elements based on oxygen and hydrogen.
After initialization of the launch of the booster stage engines, the ship entered the flight orbit to the Moon. Then, when approaching the natural satellite, the device used the engines of the braking unit to enter the lunar orbit and set the descent trajectory.
In turn, the crew could use a bank of three engines to hover over the lunar surface and select a landing site.
Finally, after completing the tasks on the Moon, the landing gear was separated and the liquid rocket engine of the ascent block was started.
Ultimately, the UR-700 project was canceled and the Soviet lunar program ended. But the assembly of a rocket from ready-made spent modules, proposed by Chelomey, has found its application in modern rocket science.
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