Molniya (rocket)
Molniya-M carrier rocket | |
| Function | Medium launch vehicle |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Energia |
| Country of origin | Soviet Union |
| Size | |
| Height | 43.44 m |
| Diameter | 10.3 m |
| Mass | 305,000 kg |
| Stages | 4 |
| Associated rockets | |
| Family | R-7 |
| Launch history | |
| Status | Retired |
| Launch sites | Baikonur, Plesetsk |
| Total launches | 40 |
| Success(es) | 20 |
| Failure(s) | 9 |
| Partial failure(s) | 11 |
The Molniya (Russian: Молния, meaning "lightning"), GRAU Index 8K78, was a modification of the well-known R-7 Semyorka rocket and had four stages. The rocket was given the name Molniya due to the large number of Molniya communication satellites the rockets launched.