Soyuz-A


initially promoted the Soyuz A-B-V circumlunar complex concept in which a two-man craft Soyuz 7K would rendezvous with other components in Earth orbit to assemble a lunar excursion vehicle, the components being delivered by the proven R-7 rocket.
Besides the Soyuz 7K spacecraft, the complex would feature a Soyuz 9K booster and a Soyuz 11K tanker with twin whip antennas.
The 7K would have been equipped with cameras and sensors to study the lunar surface during the flyby, at a distance of 1,000 to 20,000 km from the Moon's surface. Total flight time would have been 7 to 8 days.

Relation with other Soyuz versions

Soyuz A is the base concept for the entire Soyuz spacecraft family. The 7K series is a direct descendant of this original proposal.
The list below shows proposed, flown and military Soyuz versions.
  • Soyuz-A
  • *Soyuz P
  • **Soyuz PPK
  • *Soyuz R
  • **Soyuz 7K-TK
  • *Soyuz 7K-VI Zvezda
  • *Soyuz OIS
  • **Soyuz OB-VI
  • **Soyuz 7K-S
  • **Soyuz 7K-ST
  • ***Soyuz T
  • ****Soyuz TM
  • ****Soyuz TMA
  • ****Soyuz TMA-M
  • ****Soyuz MS
  • ***Progress M
  • ***Progress M1
  • ***Progress MS
  • *Soyuz 7K-LOK
  • **Soyuz 7K-L1
  • ***Soyuz 7K-L1E
  • *Soyuz 7K-OK
  • **Soyuz 7K-OKS
  • ***Soyuz 7K-T
  • ****Progress 7K-TG
  • ***'''Soyuz 7K-TM'''