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Molniya-1
Molniya-1

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Article Number: 11F67. Class: Communications. Nation: USSR. Manufacturer: KBYu / NPO PM.

First Soviet communications satellite, using the twelve-hour elliptical orbit known as a 'Molniya orbit'. Such orbits require less rocket power to achieve than a geosynchronous orbit, and are better suited to communications with northern latitudes. Since they move very slowly at apogee, they appear to 'hover' for hours at a time over northern latitudes. The disadvantage is that the sending/receiving dish must track the satellite, whereas for a geosynchronous satellite a fixed dish can be used.

Molniya-1 was developed by Korolev's OKB-1. It was initially an experimental spacecraft to test the utility of such a satellite for command and control of the armed forces. It quickly proved the new technologies of automatic satellite control and 3 axis stabilisation. The Alfa on-board retransmitter operated on the 10 m band in both simplex and duplex modes. Existing tropospheric communication Gorizont ground stations required minimal modification for use with Molniya. Initial flights proved Moscow-Vladivostok strategic communications in 1965 to 1967.

Preliminary work on the Molniya-1 communications satellite began in 1960. Full development was authorised 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, pressurised main section with 2.5 cubic metres 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 stabilisers pointed the spacecraft to within 10 degrees. An optical sensor was used for antenna pointing.

Main propulsion was provided with an engine of 200 kgf, with AK-20 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 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.


Specification

Total Length: 4.4 m. Maximum Diameter: 1.4 m. Total Mass: 1,650 kg. Total RCS Impulse: 8,000.00 kgf-sec. Primary Engine Thrust: 200 kgf. Main Engine Propellants: Nitric Acid/UDMH. Main Engine Isp: 290 sec. Electric system: 1.30 total average kW. Electrical System: Solar panels.


Molniya-1 Chronology


30 October 1960 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.


30 October 1961 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.


04 June 1964 Molniya-1 s/n 2 Failure Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Baikonur . Launch Vehicle: Molniya 8K78. 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.

Unsuccessful first attempt to launch Molniya communications satellite.


22 August 1964 Cosmos 41 Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Baikonur . Launch Vehicle: Molniya 8K78. Mass: 1,500 kg. Perigee: 1,023 km. Apogee: 39,169 km. Inclination: 68.4 deg.

Successful launch of first Soviet communications satellite.


23 April 1965 Molniya 1-01 Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Baikonur . Launch Vehicle: Molniya 8K78. Mass: 1,600 kg. Perigee: 538 km. Apogee: 39,300 km. Inclination: 65.5 deg.

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.


14 October 1965 Molniya 1-02 Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Baikonur . Launch Vehicle: Molniya 8K78. Mass: 1,600 kg. Perigee: 487 km. Apogee: 39,921 km. Inclination: 65.2 deg.

France - USSR communications link. Second communications satellite 'Molniya-1'. Television programme transmission and long-range, two-way multi-channel telephone, phototelegraph and telegraph communications.


27 March 1966 Molniya-1 s/n 5 Failure Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Baikonur . Launch Vehicle: Molniya 8K78M. FAILURE: The booster failed during ascent. The launcher and payload broke up on impact with the ground. Mass: 1,600 kg.
25 April 1966 Molniya 1-03 Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Baikonur . Launch Vehicle: Molniya 8K78M. Mass: 1,600 kg. Perigee: 546 km. Apogee: 39,414 km. Inclination: 65.0 deg.

Also transmitted cloud cover images. Television programme transmission and long-range two-way multi-channel telephone, phototelegraph and telegraph communicaitons.


20 October 1966 Molniya 1-04 Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Baikonur . Launch Vehicle: Molniya 8K78M. Mass: 1,600 kg. Perigee: 500 km. Apogee: 39,689 km. Inclination: 65.3 deg.


Molniya orbitMolniya orbit

Credit: RKK Energia. 9,537 bytes. 317 x 234 pixels.


Television programme transmission and long-range two-way multi-channel telephone, phototelegraph and telegraph communicaitons.
25 May 1967 Molniya 1-05 Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Baikonur . Launch Vehicle: Molniya 8K78M. Mass: 1,600 kg. Perigee: 90 km. Apogee: 35,690 km. Inclination: 64.6 deg.

Further development and experimental operation of long-range two-way television and telephone-telegraph radio-communication.


31 August 1967 Cosmos 174 Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Baikonur . Launch Vehicle: Molniya 8K78M. Mass: 1,600 kg. Perigee: 430 km. Apogee: 39,796 km. Inclination: 64.9 deg.

Probable commsat failure. Investigation of the upper atmosphere and outer space.


03 October 1967 Molniya 1-06 Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Baikonur . Launch Vehicle: Molniya 8K78M. Mass: 1,600 kg. Perigee: 508 km. Apogee: 39,709 km. Inclination: 64.7 deg.

Operation of a system of long range telephone-telegraph radiocommunication, and transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to the stations of the Orbita network.


22 October 1967 Molniya 1-07 Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Baikonur . Launch Vehicle: Molniya 8K78M. Mass: 1,600 kg. Perigee: 508 km. Apogee: 39,709 km. Inclination: 64.8 deg.

Operation of a system of long range telephone-telegraph radiocommunication, and transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to the stations of the Orbita network.


21 April 1968 Molniya 1-08 Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Baikonur . Launch Vehicle: Molniya 8K78M. Mass: 1,600 kg. Perigee: 405 km. Apogee: 40,099 km. Inclination: 64.0 deg.

Operation of a system of long range telephone-telegraph radiocommunication, and transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to the stations of the Orbita network.


05 July 1968 Molniya 1-09 Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Baikonur . Launch Vehicle: Molniya 8K78M. Mass: 1,600 kg. Perigee: 396 km. Apogee: 39,806 km. Inclination: 65.1 deg.

Operation of a system of long range telephone-telegraph radiocommunication, and transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to the stations of the Orbita network.


05 October 1968 Molniya 1-10 Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Baikonur . Launch Vehicle: Molniya 8K78M. Mass: 1,600 kg. Perigee: 498 km. Apogee: 39,596 km. Inclination: 64.9 deg.

Operation of a system of long range telephone-telegraph radiocommunication, and transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to the stations of the Orbita network.


16 December 1968 Cosmos 260 Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Baikonur . Launch Vehicle: Molniya 8K78M. Mass: 1,600 kg. Perigee: 506 km. Apogee: 39,573 km. Inclination: 65.0 deg.

Investigation of the upper atmosphere and outer space.


11 April 1969 Molniya 1-11 Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Baikonur . Launch Vehicle: Molniya 8K78M. Mass: 1,600 kg. Perigee: 483 km. Apogee: 39,595 km. Inclination: 64.9 deg.

Operation of a system of long range telephone-telegraph radiocommunication, and transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to the stations of the Orbita network.


22 July 1969 Molniya 1-12 Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Baikonur . Launch Vehicle: Molniya 8K78M. Mass: 1,600 kg. Perigee: 496 km. Apogee: 39,526 km. Inclination: 64.9 deg.

Operation of a system of long range telephone-telegraph radiocommunication, and transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to the stations of the Orbita network.


19 February 1970 Molniya 1-13 Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Plesetsk . Launch Vehicle: Molniya 8K78M. Mass: 1,600 kg. Perigee: 461 km. Apogee: 39,170 km. Inclination: 65.4 deg.

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.


26 June 1970 Molniya 1-14 Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Plesetsk . Launch Vehicle: Molniya 8K78M. Mass: 1,600 kg. Perigee: 459 km. Apogee: 39,172 km. Inclination: 65.5 deg.

Operation of a system of long range telephone-telegraph radiocommunication, and transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to the stations of the Orbita network.


29 September 1970 Molniya 1-15 Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Plesetsk . Launch Vehicle: Molniya 8K78M. Mass: 1,600 kg. Perigee: 492 km. Apogee: 39,296 km. Inclination: 65.2 deg.

Operation of a system of long range telephone-telegraph radiocommunication, and transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to the stations of the Orbita network.


27 November 1970 Molniya 1-16 Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Plesetsk . Launch Vehicle: Molniya 8K78M. Mass: 1,600 kg. Perigee: 463 km. Apogee: 39,895 km. Inclination: 65.5 deg.

Operation of a system of long range telephone-telegraph radiocommunication, and transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to the stations of the Orbita network.


25 December 1970 Molniya 1-17 Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Baikonur . Launch Vehicle: Molniya 8K78M. Mass: 1,600 kg. Perigee: 474 km. Apogee: 39,881 km. Inclination: 65.0 deg.

Operation of a system of long range telephone-telegraph radiocommunication, and transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to the stations of the Orbita network.


28 July 1971 Molniya 1-18 Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Plesetsk . Launch Vehicle: Molniya 8K78M. Mass: 1,600 kg. Perigee: 478 km. Apogee: 39,877 km. Inclination: 65.4 deg.

Operation of a system of long range telephone-telegraph radiocommunication, and transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to the stations of the Orbita network.


20 December 1971 Molniya 1-19 Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Plesetsk . Launch Vehicle: Molniya 8K78M. Mass: 1,600 kg. Perigee: 522 km. Apogee: 39,126 km. Inclination: 65.0 deg.

Operation of a system of long range telephone-telegraph radiocommunication, and transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to the stations of the Orbita network.


04 April 1972 Molniya 1-20 Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Plesetsk . Launch Vehicle: Molniya 8K78M. Mass: 1,600 kg. Perigee: 343 km. Apogee: 40,006 km. Inclination: 65.7 deg.

Operation of the long-range telephone and telegraph radiocommunications system in the USSR; transmission of television programmes to stations in the Orbita network.


14 October 1972 Molniya 1-21 Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Plesetsk . Launch Vehicle: Molniya 8K78M. Mass: 1,600 kg. Perigee: 494 km. Apogee: 34,684 km. Inclination: 65.4 deg.

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.


02 December 1972 Molniya 1-22 Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Baikonur . Launch Vehicle: Molniya 8K78M. Mass: 1,600 kg. Perigee: 462 km. Apogee: 39,608 km. Inclination: 64.0 deg.

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.


03 February 1973 Molniya 1-23 Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Baikonur . Launch Vehicle: Molniya 8K78M. Mass: 1,600 kg. Perigee: 476 km. Apogee: 39,602 km. Inclination: 65.0 deg.

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.


30 August 1973 Molniya 1-24 Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Plesetsk . Launch Vehicle: Molniya 8K78M. Mass: 1,600 kg. Perigee: 463 km. Apogee: 39,893 km. Inclination: 65.5 deg.

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.


14 November 1973 Molniya 1-25 Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Baikonur . Launch Vehicle: Molniya 8K78M. Mass: 1,600 kg. Perigee: 461 km. Apogee: 39,607 km. Inclination: 64.0 deg.

Operation of a system of long range telephone-telegraph radiocommunication, and transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to the stations of the Orbita network.


30 November 1973 Molniya 1-26 Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Plesetsk . Launch Vehicle: Molniya 8K78M. Mass: 1,600 kg. Perigee: 619 km. Apogee: 40,829 km. Inclination: 62.9 deg.

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.


20 April 1974 Molniya 1-27 Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Plesetsk . Launch Vehicle: Molniya 8K78M. Mass: 1,600 kg. Perigee: 606 km. Apogee: 39,752 km. Inclination: 63.0 deg.

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.


29 July 1974 Molniya 1-S Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Baikonur . Launch Vehicle: Proton 8K82K / 11S86. Mass: 800 kg. Perigee: 35,724 km. Apogee: 35,809 km. Inclination: 13.9 deg.

Evidently a unique experimental satellite. Arrangements for experimental television broadcasts and establishment of long-range radio-communications.


24 October 1974 Molniya 1-28 Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Plesetsk . Launch Vehicle: Molniya 8K78M. Mass: 1,600 kg. Perigee: 607 km. Apogee: 40,633 km. Inclination: 62.8 deg.

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.


29 April 1975 Molniya 1-29 Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Plesetsk . Launch Vehicle: Molniya 8K78M. Mass: 1,600 kg. Perigee: 994 km. Apogee: 39,360 km. Inclination: 61.8 deg.

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.


05 June 1975 Molniya 1-30 Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Plesetsk . Launch Vehicle: Molniya 8K78M. Mass: 1,600 kg. Perigee: 121 km. Apogee: 38,307 km. Inclination: 63.4 deg.

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.


02 September 1975 Molniya 1-31 Program: Molniya. Launch Site: Plesetsk . Launch Vehicle: Molniya 8K78M. Mass: 1,600 kg. Perigee: 633 km. Apogee: 40,598 km. Inclination: 62.9 deg.

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.



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