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Massive, high-detail 1:72-scale presentation model of the Soviet N1-L3 rocket made exclusively for the Energia Corporation. Constructed of metal and resin composite elements, the hand-made model measures 58˝ in height and is set upon a circular 12˝ base with affixed nameplate: “Soviet N1-L3, Rocket Model, NPO Energia.” In fine condition.
The N1-L3 was the Soviet Union’s proposed lunar landing system developed to compete with the American Apollo program. It paired the N1 super heavy-lift rocket—designed as the Soviet counterpart to the Saturn V—with the L3 lunar expedition complex, which included the LOK lunar orbital spacecraft and the single-cosmonaut LK lunar lander. The system was intended to carry a Soviet cosmonaut to the Moon using a lunar-orbit rendezvous mission profile.
Development of the N1 began in 1959 as part of the Soviet effort to achieve crewed missions beyond low Earth orbit. Its first stage was the most powerful rocket stage ever built. Despite four launch attempts, however, the N1 never successfully flew. During the second test launch, the rocket crashed back onto its launch pad shortly after liftoff and exploded, producing one of the largest non-nuclear explosions in human history. The program was suspended in 1974 and officially canceled in 1976. Like the rest of the Soviet crewed lunar program, the N1 remained secret until the late 1980s, with details first publicly released in 1989.
