Apollo program Direct ascent

artist s conception of apollo spacecraft used direct ascent

the apollo program planned based on assumption direct ascent used. have required developing enormous launch vehicle, either saturn c-8 or nova rocket, launch three-man apollo spacecraft, attached landing module, directly moon, land tail-first , launch off moon return earth. other 2 options nasa considered required smaller launch vehicle, either saturn c-4 or c-5. these earth orbit rendezvous, have involved @ least 2 launches assemble direct-landing , return vehicle in orbit; , lunar orbit rendezvous (lor), carried smaller two-man lunar lander spacecraft flight between lunar orbit , surface. lor strategy used in apollo.

the soviet union considered several direct ascent strategies, though in end settled on approach similar nasa s: 2 men in soyuz spacecraft one-man lk lander. failure of soviets n1 rocket delayed lunar program substantially, however, , close successful n1 launch when apollo 11 lifted off , made first manned lunar landing. soviets had planned use lk, looked smaller version of spider-like lunar module, although okb-52 continued develop ur-700 modular booster direct ascent lk-700 ship.

science fiction movies such destination moon had depicted direct ascent missions.