LZhM (Laboratory-Residence Module)

Mission Profile

LZhM (Laboratoriya-Zhiloy Modul, or Laboratory-Residence Module) was a Soviet concept for a pressurized lunar surface habitation and laboratory module, envisioned as part of a permanent or semi-permanent crewed lunar base following initial Apollo-era landings. The concept would have been delivered by robotic missions and prepared for occupation before crew arrival, providing a shirt-sleeve environment for extended surface stays of weeks to months. LZhM was one of several modular lunar base concepts studied by Soviet space planners in the late 1960s and early 1970s, but like all Soviet crewed lunar exploration plans beyond the initial landing, it was cancelled following the N1 rocket program's failure.