SOVIET SPACE PROGRAM

Molniya-M | Molniya-1K 50

SUCCESS Molniya-M →
Jun 24, 1981 at 17:47 UTC
Elliptical Orbit Government/Top Secret Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Russian Federation 95% success
Initializing Launch Globe…
Live Orbit
Fullscreen
Mission Control3D trajectory · Live telemetry · AI narrator · Booster tracking
PAD43/3 (43L)
SITEPlesetsk Cosmodrome, Russian Federation →
ORBITElliptical Orbit
TYPEGovernment/Top Secret

Military communications satellite in a highly elliptic orbit

VEHICLE
Molniya-M
MISSION
Molniya-1K 50
MISSION TYPE
Government/Top Secret
TARGET ORBIT
Elliptical Orbit
LAUNCH PAD
43/3 (43L)
COUNTRY
RUS
CONFIRMEDPrecision: Minute
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: 3cf41946-6603-4aa7-8dc6-e99e5d4b5a28
Reported date: Jun 24, 1981 at 17:47 UTC
Last synced: 6 minutes ago
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
Loading weather…
Select a location to check if this launch is visible from where you are
MANUFACTURER
Russian Space Forces
VARIANT
2BL
FLIGHTS
272
SUCCESSES
259
SUCCESS RATE
95.2%
When is the Molniya-M | Molniya-1K 50 launch?
The Molniya-M | Molniya-1K 50 is scheduled for Wednesday, June 24, 1981 at 5:47 PM UTC. This is the NET (No Earlier Than) time and may be subject to change. Current status: SUCCESS.
What rocket is being used for Molniya-1K 50?
The Molniya-M | Molniya-1K 50 mission uses the Molniya-M rocket, manufactured by Russian Space Forces. The Molniya-M has flown 272 times with a 95.2% success rate.
Where is the Molniya-M | Molniya-1K 50 launching from?
The launch takes place from 43/3 (43L) at Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Russian Federation.
What orbit is Molniya-1K 50 going to?
The Molniya-1K 50 mission is targeting Elliptical Orbit.
Who is launching Molniya-1K 50?
The Molniya-M | Molniya-1K 50 is operated by Soviet Space Program.
Can I watch the Molniya-M | Molniya-1K 50 launch live?
Yes. Visit the launch detail page on Space Launch Live for embedded YouTube webcasts, replay videos, and links to live coverage from SpaceX, NASA, NASASpaceflight, and other channels.
Mar 29, 2026 23:43 UTC
Launch added to tracker
Imported from Launch Library 2 API
Mar 29, 2026 23:43 UTC
Launch date set: Jun 24, 1981 at 17:47 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by Soviet Space Program
Mar 29, 2026 23:43 UTC
Launch completed successfully
Updated via Launch Library 2
Last data sync: 6 minutes ago
Launch Library 26 minutes ago
Launch ID: 3cf41946-6603-4aa7-8dc6-e99e5d4b5a28
Open-Meteo Weather1 day ago
Pad weather at 62.93, 40.45

Mission Profile

Molniya-1K 50 was a Molniya-M 2BL mission operated by Soviet Space Program that lifted off from 43/3 (43L), Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Russian Federation on June 24, 1981. The flight carried its payload on a government/top secret mission to Elliptical Orbit. The launch was a success.