Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Email | TuneIn | RSS
This second generation of the Soyuz spacecraft, the Soyuz 7k-T was flown on Soyuz 12 through Soyuz 40 missions from 1973–1981. The new 7K-T spacecraft was designed to accommodate only two cosmonauts who would wear pressure suits at all times during launch, docking, undocking, and reentry.
Soyuz 12 Crew with Pressure Suits
Soyuz 13 Crew with Pressure Suits
Orion-2 Observatory
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Email | TuneIn | RSS
At this point in 1973, the Soviets were attempting to fly 2 types of space station, the long duration orbital station scientific version called DOS. The other station was a military spy space station equipped with a machine gun, called Almaz or OPS which stood for orbital piloted station.
Salyut-2, OPS-1, Almaz
Mars 4 or 5
Mars 6 or 7
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Email | TuneIn | RSS
On July 3, 1969, the same month as the the Apollo 11 Moon landing, The Soviet Union made another secret attempt to fly their giant Moon rocket.
N1-5L Rollout to pad. Credit Russia Space Web
Raising N1-5L
Escape system activated for N1-5L. Credit Russian Space Web.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Email | TuneIn | RSS
Finally, on the morning of February 21, all the population of the N1 assembly area and a residential area, situated just south of the launch pad, was ordered to evacuate. The giant service structure then rolled away leaving the dark-gray rocket with a white payload fairing towering under sunny skies. The weather was extremely cold, with temperatures falling to minus 44 C degrees, and stormy winds. In the fortified firing control room, the Commander of the 6th Directorate, took the firing command position at the main periscope…
Apollo CSM/LM vs. Soviet L3 Complex. Credit Mark Wade
N1 image taken by US KH-8 Reconnaissance satellite
N1 on the launch pad
