Molniya 8K78
R-7 familyStrategic Rocket ForcesRetired
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.
Specifications
- Thrust
- 813 kN
- Height
- 43.44 m
- Diameter
- 3 m
- Launch mass
- 305 t
- Stages
- 4
- LEO capacity
- 1,900 kg
Specifications from Launch Library. Figures the operator has not published are omitted.
Flight record
First flight October 10, 1960 · latest October 22, 1967
Counted from padside's own launch record, the same basis as the stats page.
Flights per year
- Successful
- Failed
Show the numbers for Molniya 8K78 flights per year
| Year | Successful | Failed | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 1961 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 1962 | 1 | 5 | 6 |
| 1963 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| 1964 | 3 | 5 | 8 |
| 1965 | 8 | 3 | 11 |
| 1966 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| 1967 | 4 | 0 | 4 |