/sci/ - Science & Math

Another possibility. Hear me out. The N1F upgrade was slated for 1974 and it used NK-33 engines which COULD be tested before flight.
What if the USSR skipped the “block I” N1 and instead used a pair of smaller, say 50-60 ton to LEO rockets to launch their initial one man lunar landings until the N1F became operational in 1974? Thoughts?
I did some math and a five core vehicle with 30 RD-107’s could’ve lifted 60 tons to LEO. A pair of these rockets would be able to fly the L3 lunar complex with ease, and they use smaller cores, and most of all, they use proven engines which could be tested on the ground.
It’s not a permanent solution, but one that could do a few one man LK landings until the bigger L3M lander came to