"Molniya-M" launch vehicle

"Molniya" is the four stage launch vehicle developed on the base of "R-7" launch vehicle with addition of the 3-rd and the 4-th stages modules.

"Molniya" launch vehicle is designed for injection of radio relay satellites of "Molniya"-type, research satellites of "Prognoz"-type and satellites of "Kosmos"-series.

The efficient injection scheme is based on usage of parking orbit and launch of the fourth stage under zero-gravity and allows injecting the payload into stretched elliptical and transfer orbits to other objects of the solar system. "Molniya-M" launch vehicle was used for injecting the first interplanetary spacecraft to the Moon, Venus and Mars. On December, 1995 "IRS-1C" Indian satellite launch was made into circular Sun-synchronous orbit.

The launch vehicle was modernized in 1965. The modification was named "Molniya-M". The first launch of "Molniya" launch vehicle was made on October 10, 1960. 

At the present time "Molniya-M" launch vehicle is in serial production and operation.

Power characteristics of "Molniya-M" launch vehicle

(with 2,7 m nose fairing)