Soviet Lunar Concept - L3 19K-21K complex

Mission Profile

Soviet Lunar Concept 19K-21K complex is a proposed Soviet upgrade to the N1-L3 lunar landing system, sometimes referred to as the expanded L3 complex, featuring an enlarged lunar lander and orbital vehicle to enable longer surface stays and more capable scientific payload than the original L3. These concepts were studied in the early 1970s as successive attempts to refine Soviet crewed lunar landing capability in the aftermath of the N1's first launch failures. Like all Soviet crewed lunar follow-on concepts, the 19K-21K and related proposals were cancelled when the N1 program was officially terminated in 1976.