Molniya 8K78 | Venera-1VA 2
Launch Successful
L - -- : -- : -- : --
Feb. 12, 1961, 12:43 a.m.
Instantaneous launch window.
Launch Window
Feb. 12, 1961, 12:43 a.m. - Feb. 12, 1961, 12:43 a.m.
Instantaneous launch window.
Feb. 12, 1961, 12:43 a.m. - Feb. 12, 1961, 12:43 a.m.
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.
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).
WIKI16 new Earth observation satellites for the Jilin-1 commercial Earth observation satellites constellation.
A batch of 52 satellites for Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.
Khayyam, also known as Project 505, is a Russian built Earth observation satellite for Iran. The satellite is built by VNIIEM and NPK Barl on a curre…
Two commercial Earth observation satellites built by Minospace.
First test flight of Indian SSLV (Small Satellite Launch Vehicle).
Lunar orbiter designed by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) to demonstrate technologies, survey lunar resources and produce a topographic…
Note: Launch time is approximate. Probable reflight of the Chinese spaceplane capable of returning to Earth, which flew in orbit September 4 - 6, …
NS-22 is the sixth crewed New Shepard flight, carrying six passengers.
Sixth geosynchronous satellite of the Space Based Infrared System program (SBIRS), providing capabilities for early missile warning and missile defen…
Classified payload for the US National Reconnaissance Office (NRO).