Soyuz-L

This article is about the Soyuz-L rocket. For other Soyuz variants, see Soyuz (rocket family).

Not to be confused with Soyuz 1.

The Soyuz-L (Russian: Союз, meaning "union"), GRAU index 11A511L was a Soviet expendable carrier rocket designed by OKB-1 and manufactured by State Aviation Plant No. 1 in Samara, Russia. It was created to test the LK lunar lander in low Earth orbit, as part of the Soviet lunar programme.

Soyuz-L

Function	Carrier rocket
Manufacturer	OKB-1
Country of origin	Soviet Union
Size
Height	50 metres (160 ft)
Diameter	10.3 metres (34 ft)
Mass	300,000 kilograms (660,000 lb)
Stages	Two
Capacity
Payload to LEO
Mass	5,500 kilograms (12,100 lb)
Associated rockets
Family	R-7
Launch history
Status	Retired
Launch sites	Baikonur Site 31/6
Total launches	3
Success(es)	3
First flight	24 November 1970
Last flight	12 August 1971
Type of passengers/cargo	LK
Boosters
No. boosters	4
Powered by	1 RD-107-8D728
Maximum thrust	995 kilonewtons (224,000 lbf)
Specific impulse	314 sec
Burn time	119 seconds
Propellant	RP-1/LOX
First stage
Powered by	1 RD-108-8D727
Maximum thrust	977 kilonewtons (220,000 lbf)
Specific impulse	315 sec
Burn time	291 seconds
Propellant	RP-1/LOX
Second stage
Powered by	1 RD-0110
Maximum thrust	294 kilonewtons (66,000 lbf)
Specific impulse	330 sec
Burn time	246 seconds
Propellant	RP-1/LOX

The Soyuz-L was a derivative of the original Soyuz rocket featuring the reinforced first stage and boosters supporting the Molniya-M's third stage, so that it could carry a more massive payload. A larger payload fairing was also fitted, to accommodate the LK spacecraft. The Soyuz-L was only launched three times between 1970 and 1971, all successful. The later Soyuz-U used a similar configuration to the Soyuz-L.