Flight History of N1 Rocket N1 1L – full scale dynamic test model, each stage was individually dynamically tested; the full N1 stack was only tested at 1/4 scale. N1 2L (1M1) – Facilities Systems ...

The thrust output of these engines, too, was likely nearly double that of NASA's Saturn 5 rocket or Space Launch System. ... the N1 rocket attempted four launches from 1969 to 1972.

On July 3, 1969, the Soviet Zond L1S-2 was getting ready to head into space when disaster struck. For a few moments, the craft lifted into the night sky. Then, it exploded.

Prior to the first launch test, Musk himself had drawn a parallel between N1 and Starship, calling it the closest comparable rocket to Starship. The Soviet counterpart, however, had a payload ...