Cosmos 111

Russia

Spacecraft n°:

USSR satellite n°:

Launch data:

Designation	02093 / 66017A
Launch date	01 Mar 1966 - 11:03 UT
Launch site	B, LC31
Launch vehicle	Molniya-M (8K78M)
Mission	Lunar orbiter
Satellite type	Luna E-6S (#1)
Perigee / Apogee	182 / 194 km
Inclination	51.84°
Period	88.19 min

Partial failure: Failed to leave Earth orbit. The escape stage Block L lost roll control during unpowered coast in parking orbit because the axis of the course regulator of the control system jammed in the zero position. The stage's engine was not fired.

Spacecraft data:

Prime contractor
Platform
Mass at launch	6540 kg
Dry Mass	kg
Dimension
Basic shape
Solar array
Stabilization
DC power

Decay:

Descent date:	03 Mar 1966
Lifetime:	1,61 days

Mission details:

Cosmos 111 (E-6S series) was the first Soviet attempt to orbit a spacecraft around the Moon. The design was probably similar to the later successful Luna 10 spacecraft. It was launched on March 1, 1966. The mission was a failure. The Blok-L upper stage lost roll control and failed to send the spacecraft on a lunar trajectory. It re-entered the Earth's atmosphere two days later.

Ref.: #1, #7, #8, #89 - update: 24.05.05