I've often wondered what, if any, was the real-world inspiration behind the Spacex Mobile Launch Pad or MLP and its original artwork by Eric Eden from 1966 [above left].
Whatever influenced Eric, if anything, clearly repeated itself in the black and white Tri-ang SpaceX advert for the MLP [above].
Browsing the net tonight I've found this photograph of a Soviet rocket, the N1, on its gantry. The ribbed base appears to be similar to the MLP rocket as does the overall shape. The gantry is a little similar. Clearly there's no spaceship sat atop the rocket, which I assume was wholly Eric's creation. I'm not clear about the timeline of the N1 and whether Eric could have even seen pictures of it in 1966, so all that would need checking. For now, what do you think readers?
Picture: Peters Russia
date?
Picture: Foundation3d
date?
It was satellite images of the N1 on its pad taken by the US that prompted them to send Apollo 8 to the moon in 1968, just in case they got beaten to it.
ReplyDeleteThe N1 blew up during a launch test and devastated the Baikanur complex, killing hundreds and essentially took USSR out of the moon race in one fell swoop.
ReplyDeleteI'm see your all program thanks to you
ReplyDelete