Project N1 Lunar

[Buck Rogers]

I've started converting Jean-Marie Le Cosperec's meshes to Orbiter starting with the N1 which will be a complete rework.
The intention is to have the complete lunar mission but this might take a while.

Bloc A: corrected, optimised, remade fuel line fairings etc., going to completly remake the engine section.

How do the stabilisers work? Retracted on launch, extended at staging?

 

[CurlSnout]

GREAT that you are taking this on. Take your time and don't go crazy. As far as possible, embrace the danger (kidding) and try to have fun with it. Remember to breathe.

Please post updates, as you are able.

 

[Sunhillow]

Great idea to revive this rocket!
On the old photographs the grid fins are always extended. Probably they are fixed in this position.

 

[Buck Rogers]

On the old photographs the grid fins are always extended. Probably they are fixed in this position.

Yes, I do have a picture from the construction hall (russian VAB?) were they are retracted, maybe only for assembly? And "artistic impressions" show them all over the place, so I wasn't sure, just need to know if they should be animated or not.

And the wierd flaps partially covering 4 engines are deflectors for attitude control which were removed and replaced with RCS in the last model (that could be animated).

 

[Urwumpe]

How do the stabilisers work? Retracted on launch, extended at staging?

Deployed at launch, fixed in place.

 

[Urwumpe]

And the wierd flaps partially covering 4 engines are deflectors for attitude control which were removed and replaced with RCS in the last model (that could be animated).

Not an RCS as such, but actually 4 gimballing steering engines, similar to what the R-7 launcher has.

 

[Urwumpe]

Can this page help your work?

N-1 Block A

Gathering information on the N1 first stage.

graphicsnickstevens.substack.com

Identifying the different N-1 variants.

Identifying N-1 variants. I mentioned this briefly in an earlier post, which featured some images I stitched together from video, but here it is in a bit more depth. You are generally trying to dis…

nick-stevens.com

 

[Buck Rogers]

Can this page help your work?

Yes, very much so. I'd already seen some of his pics (incredible models, and the Redstar looks very interesting too! -another story...), but the detailed photo of the engines is just what I needed! Thankyou.

 

[CurlSnout]

Out of curiosity, which of Jean-Marie's models are you adapting? I know of three versions that he put together for Celestia. Left-to-right (names are his) they are: N1, N1-new, and N1-transport:



EDIT: Or, maybe you are taking one block at a time from the 'N1-Lune' file?

 

[Buck Rogers]

you are taking one block at a time from the 'N1-Lune' file?

Yes, I wasn't aware of the others, where did you find them? Do you know which one is the newest? Unless there are very big changes it might not matter as I'll be working from the blueprints and photos anyway.

And there will be no green version...research, research, research...

 

[CurlSnout]

I have all of these archived on disc; was collecting them back in 2006-2008 as Jean Marie was posting them on his 'Back in USSR' page. The 'N1' model comes out of a file that is called 'N1-beta-2' so that is probably NOT the newest. The N1-new and N1-transport models are both contained in the 'N1-Lune' file.

As you say it probably doesn't matter, since you are reworking everything yourself from source material. I was just curious.

 

[CurlSnout]

Not sure how much detail you want/need regarding engines. Block A was powered by NK-33s; Accura Space Models (Accuraspacemodels) offers a detailed 1/12 scale model kit. Their website showcases some nice images.

NK-33 1/12 - Accuraspacemodels

accuraspacemodels.com

and

NK 33 - Rocket Engine Scale Model kit - 1/12 - Accuraspacemodels

NK33 Rocket Engine Scale Model kit 1/12

accuraspacemodels.com

Just in case you are unaware and any of this is helpful.

 

[MarkWatney2015]

I thought the NK-33 engines were never used during the N1 program, though they were planned for the fifth flight before it was cancelled. Iirc the first four flights used the NK-15, but I think both it and the NK-33 look physically similar to one another

 

[Urwumpe]

I thought the NK-33 engines were never used during the N1 program, though they were planned for the fifth flight before it was cancelled. Iirc the first four flights used the NK-15, but I think both it and the NK-33 look physically similar to one another

They had been planned to be used for the N-1F version, which was supposed to be tested on the fifth flight 8L.

N1F

N1F

www.astronautix.com

 

[CurlSnout]

Sorry; it looks like I was wrong about Block A and NK-33s (Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain). Probably don't need that much detail for the Orbiter mesh anyway. Still, I think it's neat that a company is making these things (detailed scale models of rocket engines) - a niche market. Saw a reference to Accura Space Models in one of Nick Stevens's substack posts and thought others here might find it interesting.

 

[Urwumpe]

Sorry; it looks like I was wrong about Block A and NK-33s (Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain). Probably don't need that much detail for the Orbiter mesh anyway. Still, I think it's neat that a company is making these things (detailed scale models of rocket engines) - a niche market. Saw a reference to Accura Space Models in one of Nick Stevens's substack posts and thought others here might find it interesting.

Its no problem. I decided to make a N-1F module anyway, so the NK-33 and NK-43 engines get their chances. It also makes more sense for the AMSOwski case, since its the only version of the N-1 that should reach the moon without limited launch windows or mission restrictions.

 

[Buck Rogers]

Just in case you are unaware and any of this is helpful.

Yes, defineately, can't have enough resources. Thankfully the engines are covered with shrouds on the 1 stage (other stages engines are partially covered- except I may have forgotten the fairings?) so I don't have to model the whole engine (maybe?). Still relevant and interesting, keep it coming. If this thread becomes a repository for N1 resources that's not a bad thing.

And I've started from scratch, it didn't match up with the blueprints.

BTW your rockets looked very good, how are they coming along?

I'm using this blueprint, various archive photos and Nick Stevens (he seems to know his salt) work as reference. I've noticed that the stabiliser position changes on different versions.
https://www.pinterest.de/pin/470907704777380602
But here, Nick Stevens, they don't?

Identifying the different N-1 variants.

Identifying N-1 variants. I mentioned this briefly in an earlier post, which featured some images I stitched together from video, but here it is in a bit more depth. You are generally trying to dis…

nick-stevens.com

This is the only discrepency I've found so far. Any ideas?

On this one they are different but the paint schemes don't match up?

http://danielmarin.naukas.com/files/2014/10/n13lx.jpg

The launched vehicles:
1. lower blocs= grey
2. " = grey/white 90°
3. " = grey/white 120°
4. " = white

This is the ref pic for the color schemes, all stabilisers are at the same height?

https://public-files.gumroad.com/n8qxzfxtfr9eq3mkp4jmfhggb6de

 

[MaxBuzz]

(other stages engines are partially covered- except I may have forgotten the fairings?) so I don't have to model the whole engine (maybe?).

photos of the internal parts of the blocks


drawing of NK-33 engines (They are now used in the Soyuz-2.1 rocket.)

 

[Buck Rogers]

Looks like I over confused it.
I conclude that the stabiliser mounting position is the same on all 4 launched vehicles, and only the skirt, service hatches, fuel line covers change on the last one.
I will consentrate on these although I might add the boiler test and proposed future versions (and a green one just for asthetics if wished) later.

 

[Urwumpe]

Does somebody know, if the payload fairing was dropped during third stage flight or already at the end of second stage flight?

The third stage only produces about 3600 m/s DV, so its sure high enough at staging to drop the payload fairing at the beginning of third stage flight. It might already drop the fairing during second stage flight, but very likely not shortly before staging. So, the question is, when is it high enough to expose the spacecraft? The passive thermal control textile on Russian spacecraft isn't really made for high-speed travel through the atmosphere.