PAD1/5
SITEBaikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan →ORBITElliptical Orbit
TYPEGovernment/Top Secret
MISSION OVERVIEW
Military communications satellite in a highly elliptic orbit
LAUNCH DETAILS
VEHICLE
Molniya-MAGENCY
Soviet Space ProgramMISSION
Molniya-1K 52
MISSION TYPE
Government/Top Secret
TARGET ORBIT
Elliptical Orbit
LAUNCH PAD
1/5LAUNCH SITE
Baikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of KazakhstanCOUNTRY
RUS
LAUNCH TIME VERIFICATION
CONFIRMEDPrecision: Minute
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: 0981d131-3a9b-4a2b-8aa3-ad89dfab6209
Reported date: Dec 23, 1981 at 13:15 UTC
Last synced: 7 hours ago
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
LAUNCH MAP
PAD WEATHER
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VEHICLE — Molniya-M →
MANUFACTURER
Russian Space Forces
VARIANT
2BL
FLIGHTS
272
SUCCESSES
259
SUCCESS RATE
95.2%
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When is the Molniya-M | Molniya-1K 52 launch?
The Molniya-M | Molniya-1K 52 is scheduled for Wednesday, December 23, 1981 at 1:15 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 52?
The Molniya-M | Molniya-1K 52 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 52 launching from?
The launch takes place from 1/5 at Baikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan.
What orbit is Molniya-1K 52 going to?
The Molniya-1K 52 mission is targeting Elliptical Orbit.
Who is launching Molniya-1K 52?
The Molniya-M | Molniya-1K 52 is operated by Soviet Space Program.
Can I watch the Molniya-M | Molniya-1K 52 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.
LAUNCH TIMELINE
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: Dec 23, 1981 at 13:15 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by Soviet Space Program
Mar 29, 2026 23:43 UTC
Launch completed successfully
Updated via Launch Library 2
LIVE DATA SOURCES
Last data sync: 7 hours ago
●Launch Library 219 hours ago
Launch ID: 0981d131-3a9b-4a2b-8aa3-ad89dfab6209
●Open-Meteo Weather19 hours ago
Pad weather at 45.92, 63.34
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Mission Profile
Molniya-1K 52 was a Molniya-M 2BL mission operated by Soviet Space Program that lifted off from 1/5, Baikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan on December 23, 1981. The flight carried its payload on a government/top secret mission to Elliptical Orbit. The launch was a success.