2026-244Latest orbital launch: Falcon 9 · Starlink Group 15-16 · Oct 27, 2026 · VandenbergLaunch record →
sci-techmaventhe history of spaceflight, in data
  1. Home
  2. Launches
  3. 1979
  4. 1979-091
// orbital launch

Molniya-1

Molniya 8K78M launch from Plesetsk (Soviet Union) on October 20, 1979, carrying 1 payload. GCAT records the launch as a success.

October 20, 1979 · 07:03 UTCLaunch 1979-091Launch no. 2,261 in the log
RocketMolniya 8K78Mvariant ML
SpaceportPlesetskpad LC41/1
OutcomeSuccess
Launch agencyRVSNSoviet Union

Flight

Date and time (UTC)
October 20, 1979, 07:03
Launch designation
1979-091
Mission
Molniya-1
Vehicle flight ID
78055 -528

Orbit and payload

Initial apogee
40,783 km
Payload mass to orbit
2.0 t
Payloads
1
GCAT launch code
OS

Payloads

PayloadDesignationOwnerMission typeMassFate
Molniya-11979-091ANORAD 11589Main Space Forces DirectorateCommunications1,650 kgReentered (orbital decay) · Feb 18, 1994

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