Molniya 8K78 (Strategic Rocket Forces)
The Molniya 8K78 is a non-reusable, inactive launch vehicle manufactured by Strategic Rocket Forces (established in 1959). It undertook its inaugural launch on 10/10/1960.
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.
Molniya 8K78 Specifications
| Variant | 8K78 |
|---|---|
| Length | 43.44 m |
| Diameter | 3 m |
| Stages | 4 |
| Launch Mass | 305 T |
| Takeoff Thrust | 813 kN |
| LEO Capacity | 1900 kg |
Molniya 8K78 Launch Record
| Total Launches | 40 |
|---|---|
| Successful Launches | 20 |
| Failed Launches | 20 |
| Consecutive Successful Launches | 6 |
Manufacturer
The Strategic Rocket Forces of the Russian Federation are a separate-troops branch of the Russian Armed Forces that control Russia's land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).