NEXT SPACEFLIGHT

Status

Success

Cosmos 305

Launch Time
Wed Oct 22, 1969 14:09 UTC

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.

Rocket

Proton-K/Block D
RVSN USSR
Status: Retired
Liftoff Thrust: 8,840 kN
Payload to LEO: 18,900 kg
Payload to GTO: 9,000 kg
Stages: 4
Strap-ons: 0
Rocket Height: 56.14 m
Fairing Diameter: 3.9 m
Fairing Height: 8.9 m

Mission Details

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.

Payloads: 1
Total Mass: 5,600.0 kg
Trans Lunar Injection

Location

Site 81/24, Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan

Stats

1969

105th orbital launch attempt

Proton-K

18th mission
9th mission of 1969
9th successful mission
1st consecutive successful mission