Energia-launched LOK - LOK Lunar Orbiter (Energia-launched) Credit: © Mark Wade. 2,214 bytes. 163 x 137 pixels.

LOK = Lunniy orbital'niy korabl' = lunar orbiting spacecraft. Lunar orbiter for Energia-based lunar expedition. The LOK and LK lander would be inserted into lunar orbit by separate Energia launches. After rendezvous and docking in lunar orbit, three of the five crew aboard the LOK would transfer to the LK and descend to the lunar surface. After 5 to 10 days on the surface, the ascent stage of the LK would return to lunar orbit, and the crew would transfer back to the LOK. The LOK would remain in lunar orbit for a full lunar day (29 days) until returning to earth.

Craft.Crew Size: 5. Design Life: 30 days. Orbital Storage: 30.00 days. Total Length: 9.6 m. Maximum Diameter: 5.4 m. Total Mass: 30,000 kg.

• Module: Descent Module. Purpose: Reentry capsule for crew and lunar samples. Modules.Crew Size: 3. Length: 3.2 m. Basic Diameter: 3.2 m. Max Diameter: 3.2 m. Habitable Volume: 10.00 m3. Overall Mass: 4,900 kg. Remarks: Descent module of Soyuz configuration but 50% larger dimensionally and nearly twice as heavy.

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  Energia-launched LOK - LOK Lunar Orbiter (Energia-launched) Credit: © Mark Wade. 7,404 bytes. 551 x 464 pixels.

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• Module: Instrument Module. Purpose: Lunar orbit maneuver, trans-orbit propulsion, pressurized crew quarters. Length: 3.5 m. Basic Diameter: 4.1 m. Max Diameter: 4.7 m. Overall Mass: 23,200 kg. Propellants: 17100 Maneuver System Propellants: N2O4/UDMH.

  The LOK provided a pressurized volume for three crew. Within the cabin was a descent module of the same configuration as Soyuz, but almost 50% larger. This would separate just prior to reentry in the earth's atmosphere. Forward was a universal docking system.

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  Energia Lunar Base - Energia-launched Lunar Base Credit: © Mark Wade. 7,632 bytes. 624 x 276 pixels.

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• 89 - Semenov, Yu. P., S P Korolev Space Corporation Energia, RKK Energia, 1994.