2026-244Latest orbital launch: Falcon 9 · Starlink Group 15-16 · Oct 27, 2026 · VandenbergLaunch record →
sci-techmaventhe history of spaceflight, in data
sci-techmaven
Launch logAdvertise
  1. Home
  2. Launches
  3. 1973
  4. 1973-061
// orbital launch

Molniya-1

Molniya 8K78M launch from Plesetsk (Soviet Union) on August 30, 1973, carrying 1 payload. GCAT records the launch as a success.

August 30, 1973 · 00:07 UTCLaunch 1973-061Launch no. 1,483 in the log
RocketMolniya 8K78M
SpaceportPlesetskpad LC41/1
OutcomeSuccess
Launch agencyRVSNSoviet Union

Flight

Date and time (UTC)
August 30, 1973, 00:07
Launch designation
1973-061
Mission
Molniya-1
Vehicle flight ID
7705711-499

Orbit and payload

Initial apogee
40,101 km
Payload mass to orbit
2.0 t
Payloads
1
GCAT launch code
OS

Payloads

PayloadDesignationOwnerMission typeMassFate
Molniya-11973-061ANORAD 6805Main Space Forces DirectorateCommunications1,650 kgReentered (orbital decay) · Dec 5, 1979

Source: GCAT launch list and payload catalogs, Jonathan C. McDowell (CC BY 4.0). Orbit values are the initial orbit reported for the launch.