Molniya 8K78 | Molniya-1 1a
The Molniya were Soviet communication satellites operating from an inclined highly elliptical earth orbit of 500 km × 40000 km with 12 hour period for coverage of high northern latitudes.
The Molniya was a modification of the well-known R-7 Semyorka rocket and had four stages. The 8K78 resulted from a crash program by the Korolev Bureau to develop a booster for launching planetary probes. A larger third stage was added along with a fourth stage (Blok L) that was designed to fire in-orbit to send the payload out of LEO. The basic R-7 core was also structurally strengthened and given more powerful engines. A rushed development produced multiple malfunctions of the upper stages, which led to its being replaced by the improved Molniya-M in 1964, but there were enough 8K78s left to continue flying them into 1967.
When is the Molniya 8K78 | Molniya-1 1a launch?
What rocket is being used for Molniya-1 1a?
Where is the Molniya 8K78 | Molniya-1 1a launching from?
What orbit is Molniya-1 1a going to?
Who is launching Molniya-1 1a?
Can I watch the Molniya 8K78 | Molniya-1 1a launch live?
Mission Profile
Molniya-1 1a was a Molniya 8K78 mission operated by Soviet Space Program that lifted off from 1/5, Baikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan on June 4, 1964. The flight carried its payload on a communications mission to Elliptical Orbit. The launch ended in failure.