Apr 16 1975
From The Space Library
The U.S.S.R. was planning to flight-test the SLX-14, a launch vehicle larger than the Saturn 5, from Tyuratam during the summer of 1975, Kenneth W. Gatland reported in the Christian Science Monitor. Launch preparations, observed by the Air Force's Big Bird reconnaissance satellites, had been under way since 1974. Gatland reported that the project had been delayed for more than 5 yr when a previous prototype caught fire and exploded during a 1969 fueling test. Two others had failed in flight, in 1971 and 1972. After considering cancellation of the project, Soviet officials ordered a drastic design review and the program continued with increased emphasis on systems reliability and ground testing. (Gatland, CSM, 16 April 75, 1)
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