UFOs and the Soviet Lunar Program According to Leonov

Summary

This declassified CIA document features an interview with Soviet cosmonaut Alexei Leonov, who discusses the Soviet lunar program that never materialized. Leonov explains that the program was divided into two phases: a circumlunar orbit and then a landing. Despite technical efforts and training, technical failures and lack of funding led to its cancellation. The Soviets trained nearly 20 cosmonauts for lunar missions, including detailed simulations and constellation studies. However, after the success of Apollo 8 by the U.S., the Soviet program was abandoned.

Leonov also comments on the differences between U.S. transparency and Soviet secrecy, highlighting how Soviet technical failures were not disclosed to the public. He also addresses UFO rumors, dismissing claims of encounters on the Moon during Apollo missions. Finally, he emphasizes the importance of space programs for economic development and criticizes the lack of mechanisms to utilize technologies developed in the Soviet Union.