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| Molniya-1 Credit: © Mark Wade. 47,294 bytes. 570 x 390 pixels. |
| astronautix.com | Molniya-1 |
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| Molniya-1 Credit: © Mark Wade. 47,294 bytes. 570 x 390 pixels. |
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.
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.
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.
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.
Unsuccessful first attempt to launch Molniya communications satellite.
Successful launch of first Soviet communications satellite.
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.
France - USSR communications link. Second communications satellite 'Molniya-1'. Television programme transmission and long-range, two-way multi-channel telephone, phototelegraph and telegraph communications.
Also transmitted cloud cover images. Television programme transmission and long-range two-way multi-channel telephone, phototelegraph and telegraph communicaitons.
 | Molniya orbit Credit: RKK Energia. 9,537 bytes. 317 x 234 pixels. |
Further development and experimental operation of long-range two-way television and telephone-telegraph radio-communication.
Probable commsat failure. Investigation of the upper atmosphere and outer space.
Operation of a system of long range telephone-telegraph radiocommunication, and transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to the stations of the Orbita network.
Operation of a system of long range telephone-telegraph radiocommunication, and transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to the stations of the Orbita network.
Operation of a system of long range telephone-telegraph radiocommunication, and transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to the stations of the Orbita network.
Operation of a system of long range telephone-telegraph radiocommunication, and transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to the stations of the Orbita network.
Operation of a system of long range telephone-telegraph radiocommunication, and transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to the stations of the Orbita network.
Investigation of the upper atmosphere and outer space.
Operation of a system of long range telephone-telegraph radiocommunication, and transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to the stations of the Orbita network.
Operation of a system of long range telephone-telegraph radiocommunication, and transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to the stations of the Orbita network.
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.
Operation of a system of long range telephone-telegraph radiocommunication, and transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to the stations of the Orbita network.
Operation of a system of long range telephone-telegraph radiocommunication, and transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to the stations of the Orbita network.
Operation of a system of long range telephone-telegraph radiocommunication, and transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to the stations of the Orbita network.
Operation of a system of long range telephone-telegraph radiocommunication, and transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to the stations of the Orbita network.
Operation of a system of long range telephone-telegraph radiocommunication, and transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to the stations of the Orbita network.
Operation of a system of long range telephone-telegraph radiocommunication, and transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to the stations of the Orbita network.
Operation of the long-range telephone and telegraph radiocommunications system in the USSR; transmission of television programmes to stations in the Orbita network.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Operation of a system of long range telephone-telegraph radiocommunication, and transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to the stations of the Orbita network.
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.
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.
Evidently a unique experimental satellite. Arrangements for experimental television broadcasts and establishment of long-range radio-communications.
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.
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.
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.
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.