Molniya-1 Credit - © Mark Wade

This was the first Soviet communications satellite, using the twelve-hour elliptical orbit later dubbed a 'Molniya orbit'. Korolev's OKB-1 began development of Molniya in 1960. It was initially intended as an experimental spacecraft to test the utility of such a satellite for command and control of the armed forces. Existing tropospheric communication Gorizont ground stations required minimal modification for use with Molniya. Initial flights proved Moscow-Vladivostok strategic communications in 1965 to 1967. It quickly proved the new technologies of automatic satellite control and three-axis stabilization. The design was so successful that it was put into production for governmental and military use, and subsequent modifications continued in service well into the 21st Century.

Molniya orbits required less rocket power to achieve than a geosynchronous orbit, and were better suited to communications with northern latitudes. Since satellites in such an orbit move very slowly at apogee, they appear to 'hover' for hours at a time over northern latitudes. The disadvantage was that the sending/receiving dish must track the satellite, whereas for a geosynchronous satellite a fixed dish could be used.

Preliminary work on the Molniya-1 communications satellite began in 1960. Full development was authorized by government decree on 30 October 1960. Three such satellites could provide long-distance communications coverage for the entire Soviet Union. Original designed life was 1.5 to 2.0 years. Development was completed in May 1963.

The satellite consisted of a hermetically sealed, pressurized main section with 2.5 cubic meters internal volume. This kept the electronic components at a stable temperature during the day-night cycle. The spacecraft's orientation system pointed the solar panels at the sun and the antenna at the earth during communications session. Gyroscopic stabilizers pointed the spacecraft to within 10 degrees. An optical sensor was used for antenna pointing. The Alfa on-board retransmitter operated on the 10 m band in both simplex and duplex modes.

Main propulsion was provided with an engine of 200 kgf, with AK-20 nitric acid and UDMH propellants. Total impulse delivered by the three-chamber motor was 8,000 kg-sec, with a specific impulse of 290 seconds. The spacecraft had a span of 8 m across its solar panels and an initial mass on-orbit of 1650 kg.

The first two launches, on 2 January and 6 June 1964, were unsuccessful. The first successful launch only came on 14 October 1965. After checks the spacecraft began work in January 1966. The last communications session came on 18 February 1966; thereafter the solar cells deteriorated to the point of inoperability. The first spacecraft completed 30 hours worth of communications in 113 sessions.

The system was transferred from Korolev's OKB to Reshetnev in Krasnoyarsk for further development and production.

In 1968 operational use of Molniya 1 began. It provided strategic control of the RSVN, Long Range Aviation, Navy, through use of the satellite system Molniya 1-Korund and the Ruchey communications system. The externally similar but internally upgraded Molniya 1T replaced the original model in production from 1975. The full constellation in Soviet times consisted of eight spacecraft, in four orbital planes, with ascending node / 'hovering' points above 60 degrees North every 90 degrees from 10 degrees East.

Typical orbit: 1507 x 39305 km, 63.2 deg inclinaton. Length: 4.40 m (14.40 ft). Maximum Diameter: 1.40 m (4.50 ft). Span: 8.20 m (26.90 ft). Mass: 1,650 kg (3,630 lb). RCS Impulse: 78 kgf-sec. Main Engine: KDU-414. Main Engine Thrust: 1.960 kN (441 lbf). Main Engine Propellants: Nitric Acid/UDMH. Main Engine Isp: 290 sec. Electrical System: Solar panels. Electric System: 1.30 average kW.

• 1960 October 30 - Full development of Molniya-1 communications satellite authorised by government decree. -
  Three such satellites could provide long-distance communications coverage for the entire Soviet Union. Original designed life was 1.5 to 2.0 years. Development was completed in May 1963.

• 1961 October 30 - Molniya-1 and Meteor-1 satellites authorised. -
  Central Committee of the Communist Party and Council of Soviet Ministers Decree 'On approval of work on the Molniya-1 communications satellite and Meteor-1 weather satellite' was issued. Thedecree authorised work on the Molniya-1M production model, providing international communications on the centimetre band. But the protoype Molniya-1 worked so well that it was taken directly into service, and the -1M was skipped.

• 1964 June 4 - Molniya-1 s/n 2 Failure - Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. FAILURE: At T+104 sec the tank draining of core Block A failed due to jamming of the servo-motored throttle and break down of the motor's circuit The launcher was destroyed on impact downrange from the pad. Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb).
  Unsuccessful first attempt to launch Molniya communications satellite.

• 1964 August 22 - Cosmos 41 - Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Perigee: 1,023 km (635 mi). Apogee: 39,169 km (24,338 mi). Inclination: 68.40 deg. Period: 714.50 min.
  Successful launch of first Soviet communications satellite. This is the second Molniya launch attempt. (the first was a launch failure). The failure of the antennae to deploy means the spacecraft can only be tested in a limited manner and cannot be used for the planned relay of television.

• 1965 April 23 - Molniya 1-01 - Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Perigee: 538 km (334 mi). Apogee: 39,300 km (24,400 mi). Inclination: 65.50 deg. Period: 707.30 min.
  First announced launch of Soviet communications satellite. Television programme transmission and long range two way multi channel telephone and telegraph communications. Orbital characteristics after correction of 2 May 1965.

• 1965 October 14 - Molniya 1-02 - Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Perigee: 487 km (302 mi). Apogee: 39,921 km (24,805 mi). Inclination: 65.20 deg. Period: 718.80 min.
  France - USSR communications link. Second communications satellite 'Molniya-1'. Television programme transmission and long-range, two-way multi-channel telephone, phototelegraph and telegraph communications.

• 1966 March 27 - Molniya-1 s/n 5 Failure - Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC31. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. FAILURE: The booster failed during ascent. The launcher and payload broke up on impact with the ground. Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb).
  

• 1966 April 25 - Molniya 1-03 - Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC31. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Perigee: 546 km (339 mi). Apogee: 39,414 km (24,490 mi). Inclination: 65.00 deg. Period: 709.80 min.
  Also transmitted cloud cover images. Television programme transmission and long-range two-way multi-channel telephone, phototelegraph and telegraph communicaitons.

• 1966 September 1 - N1 two-launch moon scenario proposed - Program: Lunar L3, Lunar L1, Soyuz. Launch Vehicle: N1, R-9, RT-2.
  Bushuyev proposed a two launch variation on Korolev's single-launch scheme. The increased-payload version of the N1 with six additional engines was not planned to fly until vehicle 3L. 1L and 2L were to be technology articles for ground test with only the original 24 engine configuration. At that time the first Apollo test flight was planned by the end of 1966, and the US moon landing no later than 1969. The Soviets expected the first test of their LK lander in 1969, and concluded they could not expect to land a Soviet man on the moon until 1972. Additional Details: N1 two-launch moon scenario proposed.

• 1966 October 20 - Molniya 1-04 - Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Perigee: 500 km (310 mi). Apogee: 39,689 km (24,661 mi). Inclination: 65.30 deg. Period: 714.40 min.
  Television programme transmission and long-range two-way multi-channel telephone, phototelegraph and telegraph communicaitons.

• 1967 May 24 - Molniya 1-05 - Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Perigee: 90 km (55 mi). Apogee: 35,690 km (22,170 mi). Inclination: 64.60 deg. Period: 627.00 min.
  Further development and experimental operation of long-range two-way television and telephone-telegraph radio-communication.

• 1967 August 31 - Cosmos 174 - Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Perigee: 430 km (260 mi). Apogee: 39,796 km (24,728 mi). Inclination: 64.90 deg. Period: 715.00 min.
  Probable commsat failure. Investigation of the upper atmosphere and outer space.

• 1967 October 3 - Molniya 1-06 - Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Perigee: 508 km (315 mi). Apogee: 39,709 km (24,673 mi). Inclination: 64.70 deg. Period: 714.90 min.
  Operation of a system of long range telephone-telegraph radiocommunication, and transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to the stations of the Orbita network.

• 1967 October 22 - Molniya 1-07 - Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Perigee: 508 km (315 mi). Apogee: 39,709 km (24,673 mi). Inclination: 64.80 deg. Period: 714.90 min.
  Operation of a system of long range telephone-telegraph radiocommunication, and transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to the stations of the Orbita network.

• 1968 April 21 - Molniya 1-08 - Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Perigee: 405 km (251 mi). Apogee: 40,099 km (24,916 mi). Inclination: 64.00 deg. Period: 720.80 min.
  Operation of a system of long range telephone-telegraph radiocommunication, and transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to the stations of the Orbita network.

• 1968 July 5 - Molniya 1-09 - Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Perigee: 396 km (246 mi). Apogee: 39,806 km (24,734 mi). Inclination: 65.10 deg. Period: 714.70 min.
  Operation of a system of long range telephone-telegraph radiocommunication, and transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to the stations of the Orbita network.

• 1968 October 5 - Molniya 1-10 - Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Perigee: 498 km (309 mi). Apogee: 39,596 km (24,603 mi). Inclination: 64.90 deg. Period: 712.50 min.
  Operation of a system of long range telephone-telegraph radiocommunication, and transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to the stations of the Orbita network.

• 1968 December 16 - Cosmos 260 - Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Perigee: 506 km (314 mi). Apogee: 39,573 km (24,589 mi). Inclination: 65.00 deg. Period: 712.20 min.
  Investigation of the upper atmosphere and outer space.

• 1969 April 11 - Molniya 1-11 - Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Perigee: 483 km (300 mi). Apogee: 39,595 km (24,603 mi). Inclination: 64.90 deg. Period: 712.10 min.
  Operation of a system of long range telephone-telegraph radiocommunication, and transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to the stations of the Orbita network.

• 1969 July 22 - Molniya 1-12 - Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Perigee: 496 km (308 mi). Apogee: 39,526 km (24,560 mi). Inclination: 64.90 deg. Period: 711.00 min.
  Operation of a system of long range telephone-telegraph radiocommunication, and transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to the stations of the Orbita network.

• 1970 February 19 - Molniya 1-13 - Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC43/4. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Perigee: 461 km (286 mi). Apogee: 39,170 km (24,330 mi). Inclination: 65.40 deg. Period: 703.10 min.
  The first launch of the 8K78M vehicle from the Plesetsk launch site. Operation of a system of long range telephone-telegraph radiocommunication, and transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to the stations of the Orbita network.

• 1970 June 26 - Molniya 1-14 - Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Perigee: 459 km (285 mi). Apogee: 39,172 km (24,340 mi). Inclination: 65.50 deg. Period: 703.10 min.
  Operation of a system of long range telephone-telegraph radiocommunication, and transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to the stations of the Orbita network.

• 1970 September 29 - Molniya 1-15 - Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Perigee: 492 km (305 mi). Apogee: 39,296 km (24,417 mi). Inclination: 65.20 deg. Period: 706.30 min.
  Operation of a system of long range telephone-telegraph radiocommunication, and transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to the stations of the Orbita network.

• 1970 November 27 - Molniya 1-16 - Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Perigee: 463 km (287 mi). Apogee: 39,895 km (24,789 mi). Inclination: 65.50 deg. Period: 717.80 min.
  Operation of a system of long range telephone-telegraph radiocommunication, and transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to the stations of the Orbita network.

• 1970 December 25 - Molniya 1-17 - Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Perigee: 474 km (294 mi). Apogee: 39,881 km (24,780 mi). Inclination: 65.00 deg. Period: 717.80 min.
  Operation of a system of long range telephone-telegraph radiocommunication, and transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to the stations of the Orbita network.

• 1971 July 28 - Molniya 1-18 - Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Perigee: 478 km (297 mi). Apogee: 39,877 km (24,778 mi). Inclination: 65.40 deg. Period: 717.80 min.
  Operation of a system of long range telephone-telegraph radiocommunication, and transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to the stations of the Orbita network.

• 1971 December 19 - Molniya 1-19 - Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Perigee: 522 km (324 mi). Apogee: 39,126 km (24,311 mi). Inclination: 65.00 deg. Period: 703.50 min.
  Operation of a system of long range telephone-telegraph radiocommunication, and transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to the stations of the Orbita network.

• 1972 April 4 - Molniya 1-20 - Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC43/4. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Perigee: 343 km (213 mi). Apogee: 40,006 km (24,858 mi). Inclination: 65.70 deg. Period: 717.60 min.
  Operation of the long-range telephone and telegraph radiocommunications system in the USSR; transmission of television programmes to stations in the Orbita network.

• 1972 October 14 - Molniya 1-21 - Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Perigee: 494 km (306 mi). Apogee: 34,684 km (21,551 mi). Inclination: 65.40 deg. Period: 615.40 min.
  Uncertain if Molniya-1T model was Molniya-1 or Molniya-1T. Operation of the long-range telephone and telegraph radiocommunications system in the USSR; transmission of television programmes to stations in the Orbita network.

• 1972 December 2 - Molniya 1-22 - Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Perigee: 462 km (287 mi). Apogee: 39,608 km (24,611 mi). Inclination: 64.00 deg. Period: 712.00 min.
  Uncertain if Molniya-1T model was Molniya-1 or Molniya-1T. Operation of a system of long range telephone-telegraph radiocommunication, and transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to the stations of the Orbita network.

• 1973 February 3 - Molniya 1-23 - Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Perigee: 476 km (295 mi). Apogee: 39,602 km (24,607 mi). Inclination: 65.00 deg. Period: 712.20 min.
  Uncertain if Molniya-1T model was Molniya-1 or Molniya-1T. Operation of a system of long range telephone-telegraph radiocommunication, and transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to the stations of the Orbita network.

• 1973 August 30 - Molniya 1-24 - Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Perigee: 463 km (287 mi). Apogee: 39,893 km (24,788 mi). Inclination: 65.50 deg. Period: 717.80 min.
  Uncertain if Molniya-1T model was Molniya-1 or Molniya-1T. Operation of a system of long range telephone-telegraph radiocommunication, and transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to the stations of the Orbita network.

• 1973 November 14 - Molniya 1-25 - Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Perigee: 461 km (286 mi). Apogee: 39,607 km (24,610 mi). Inclination: 64.00 deg. Period: 712.00 min.
  Operation of a system of long range telephone-telegraph radiocommunication, and transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to the stations of the Orbita network.

• 1973 November 30 - Molniya 1-26 - Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Perigee: 619 km (384 mi). Apogee: 40,829 km (25,369 mi). Inclination: 62.90 deg. Period: 740.00 min.
  Uncertain if Molniya-1T model was Molniya-1 or Molniya-1T. Operation of a system of long range telephone-telegraph radiocommunication, and transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to the stations of the Orbita network.

• 1974 April 20 - Molniya 1-27 - Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Perigee: 606 km (376 mi). Apogee: 39,752 km (24,700 mi). Inclination: 63.00 deg. Period: 717.80 min.
  Uncertain if Molniya-1T model was Molniya-1 or Molniya-1T. Operation of a system of long range telephone-telegraph radiocommunication, and transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to the stations of the Orbita network.

• 1974 July 29 - Molniya 1-S - Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC81/24. Launch Vehicle: Proton. Mass: 800 kg (1,760 lb). Perigee: 35,738 km (22,206 mi). Apogee: 35,848 km (22,274 mi). Inclination: 14.80 deg. Period: 1,436.40 min.
  Evidently a unique experimental satellite. Arrangements for experimental television broadcasts and establishment of long-range radio-communications. As of 29 August 2001 located at 104.72 deg E drifting at 0.115 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 41.05E drifting at 0.029W degrees per day.

• 1974 October 24 - Molniya 1-28 - Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Perigee: 607 km (377 mi). Apogee: 40,633 km (25,248 mi). Inclination: 62.80 deg. Period: 735.80 min.
  Decay date suspect Uncertain if Molniya-1T model was Molniya-1 or Molniya-1T. Operation of a system of long range telephone-telegraph radiocommunication, and transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to the stations of the Orbita network.

• 1975 April 29 - Molniya 1-29 - Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Perigee: 1,983 km (1,232 mi). Apogee: 38,379 km (23,847 mi). Inclination: 63.80 deg. Period: 717.90 min.
  Uncertain if Molniya-1T model was Molniya-1 or Molniya-1T. Operation of the long-range telephone and telegraph radiocommunications system in the USSR; transmission of television programmes to stations in the Orbita network.

• 1975 June 5 - Molniya 1-30 - Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Perigee: 121 km (75 mi). Apogee: 38,307 km (23,802 mi). Inclination: 63.40 deg. Period: 679.10 min.
  Uncertain if Molniya-1T model was Molniya-1 or Molniya-1T. Operation of the long-range telephone and telegraph radiocommunications system in the USSR; transmission of television programmes to stations in the Orbita network.

• 1975 September 2 - Molniya 1-31 - Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Perigee: 633 km (393 mi). Apogee: 40,598 km (25,226 mi). Inclination: 62.90 deg. Period: 735.60 min.
  Uncertain if Molniya-1T model was Molniya-1 or Molniya-1T. Operation of the long-range telephone and telegraph radiocommunications system in the USSR; transmission of television programmes to stations in the Orbita network.