Launch Failure
Liftoff Time (GMT)
10:43:54
Wednesday February 7, 1968
During third stage flight, a fuel valve or inlet became stuck, resulting in the gas generator consuming fuel at a higher rate then normal. The rocket ran out of fuel 524.6 seconds after launch, and consequently failed to reach orbit.
E-6LS n°112, sometimes identified by NASA as Luna 1968A, was a Soviet spacecraft which was lost in a launch failure in 1968. It was a 1,700-kilogram (3,700 lb) Luna E-6LS spacecraft, the second of three to be launched. The spacecraft was intended to enter Selenocentric orbit, where it would study the Moon, and demonstrate technology for future manned Lunar missions.
Lunar orbit
1 Payload
1,700 kilograms


Manufacturer
RKK EnergiyaRocket
Height: 44.23m
Payload to Orbit
LEO: 6,200 kg
GTO: 2,400 kg
Liftoff Thrust
4,391 Kilonewtons
Fairing
Diameter: 2.58m
Height: 6.74m
Stages
4
Strap-ons
4
11th
Mission
1st
Mission of 1968
297th
Mission
4th
Mission of 1968
10th
Orbital launch attempt