Blok E

Blok E (or Block E) is the propulsion unit of Soviet lunar module LK, developed in 1960s by Yuzhnoye Design Bureau as a part of the manned lunar landing program.[1]

Blok E[1]

Manufacturer	Yuzhnoye Design Bureau
Country of origin	Soviet Union
Used on	LK
General characteristics
Gross mass	2,950 kg (6,500 lb)
Launch history
Status	Retired
Launch date
Blok E
Engines	11D410
Thrust	20 kN (4,500 lbf)
Specific impulse	315 s (3.09 km/s)
Fuel	UDMH/N2O4[2]

Blok E was designed to soft land the LK on the surface of the Moon after orbital velocity was cancelled by Blok D. Later the same stage would fire for the second time for the liftoff and ascent from the Moon to rendezvous with the orbiting Soyuz 7K-LOK.[3][4] Blok E used RD-858 (or 11D411),[5] which has one nozzle and is deeply throttleable (from 2050 kg to 858 kg of thrust),[6] as the primary engine. The backup engine was RD-859 (or 11D412),[5] which has two nozzles.

Together, the two engines formed the propulsion system designated 11D410.[7] Both engines burned a mix of unsymmetrical dimethyl hydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide. The hypergolic propellant components guaranteed their easy storage during a lunar expedition lasting at least 11 or 12 days.

The engines were equipped with clam-shell doors to prevent damaging it while staying on the surface of the Moon. There were four additional vernier engines placed between main and backup engine nozzles.