Molniya-M
Description
The Molniya-M, designation 8K78M, was a Soviet (later Russian) carrier rocket derived from the R-7 Semyorka ICBM. The original 8K78 booster had been the product of a rushed development program and its launch record was no better than the 8K72 Luna booster of 1958-60. As such, work began at the Korolev Bureau to improve the basic 8K78 vehicle. The core and strap-ons engines were enhanced still further and the Kosberg Bureau completely redesigned the Blok I stage. The Blok L engine was also slightly enhanced. The first six 8K78Ms built used RD-0108 engines in the Blok I stage, which was also used in the two crewed Voskhod boosters, all subsequent 8K78Ms using RD-0110 engines which were shared with the Soyuz booster.
Missions
280
Success Rate
96.8%
Successes
265
Failures
3
Success Streak
4
Partial Failures
12
Previous
Cosmos 2469
Cosmos 2446
Configurations
Molniya-M/Block VL
Active 1967 to 1969
Rocket
Height: 42.8m
Payload to Orbit
LEO: 6,200 kg
GTO: 2,400 kg
Liftoff Thrust
4,391 Kilonewtons
Fairing
Diameter: 2.58m
Height: 8.28m
Stages
4
Strap-ons
4
Molniya-M/Block SO-L
Active 1972 to 1996
Rocket
Height: 41.26m
Payload to Orbit
LEO: 6,200 kg
GTO: 2,400 kg
Liftoff Thrust
4,391 Kilonewtons
Fairing
Diameter: 2.58m
Height: 6.74m
Stages
4
Strap-ons
4
Molniya-M/Block NVL
Active 1970 to 1992
Rocket
Height: 44.63m
Payload to Orbit
LEO: 6,200 kg
GTO: 2,400 kg
Liftoff Thrust
4,391 Kilonewtons
Fairing
Diameter: 2.58m
Height: 7.14m
Stages
4
Strap-ons
4
Molniya-M/Block ML
Active 1974 to 2005
Rocket
Height: 42.8m
Payload to Orbit
LEO: 6,200 kg
GTO: 2,400 kg
Liftoff Thrust
4,391 Kilonewtons
Fairing
Diameter: 2.58m
Height: 8.28m
Stages
4
Strap-ons
4
Molniya-M/Block L
Active 1965 to 1975
Rocket
Height: 44.23m
Payload to Orbit
LEO: 6,200 kg
GTO: 2,400 kg
Liftoff Thrust
4,391 Kilonewtons
Fairing
Diameter: 2.58m
Height: 6.74m
Stages
4
Strap-ons
4
Molniya-M/Block 2BL
Active 1972 to 2010
Rocket
Height: 44.23m
Payload to Orbit
LEO: 6,200 kg
GTO: 2,400 kg
Liftoff Thrust
4,391 Kilonewtons
Fairing
Diameter: 2.58m
Height: 7.81m
Stages
4
Strap-ons
4