Cosmos 305
Launch Success
Liftoff Time (GMT)
14:09:00
Wednesday October 22, 1969
Mission Details
Launch Notes
The payload emitted a non-conforming signal to the onboard computer, which interpreted this as a shift in direction. The second ignition of the D Block was thus performed with a faulty inclination, leading to the failure of the mission. Since Next Spaceflight focuses solely on space launchers, this flight is counted as a success, as the failure came from the payload.
Cosmos 305
The Ye-8-5 is a version of the Ye-8 to drill a small sample of lunar soil and return it to earth. This could be launched in coordination with the L3S. Although not a manned lunar landing, it would provide a Soviet crew in orbit around the moon, and return of lunar soil to earth, nearly matching the Apollo mission.
Trans Lunar Injection
1 Payload
5,600 kilograms
Rocket
Manufacturer
KhrunichevRocket
Height: 56.14m
Payload to Orbit
LEO: 18,900 kg
GTO: 9,000 kg
Liftoff Thrust
8,840 Kilonewtons
Fairing
Diameter: 3.9m
Height: 8.9m
Stages
4
Launch Site
Stats
Proton-K
18th
Mission
9th
Mission of 1969
Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center
442nd
Mission
68th
Mission of 1969
1969
105th
Orbital launch attempt