Loading
TMinusZero
Loading
Preparing the latest launch data.
TMinusZero
Loading
Preparing the latest launch data.
Launch Vehicle
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 is the launch vehicle record for catalog id 184.
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.
This record currently resolves 24 launches (0 upcoming, 24 recent) for schedule and history context.
No upcoming launches found.
This record is built from the Launch Library 2 public catalog cache. The page keeps provider, pad, vehicle, astronaut, event, and location records separate from launch detail pages so source-backed facts stay easy to audit.
Molniya 8K78 is a catalog record with launch relationships. Use this page for entity context and linked launches for mission-specific timing, vehicle, and status details.
This page owns the catalog record. Collection pages own browsing, launch pages own mission timing and status, and the info hub explains the wider public-data surface.
Data provided by The Space Devs - Launch Library 2.