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Molniya 8K78

R-7 family · built by Strategic Rocket Forces · maiden flight 1960-10-10

Profile data last updated: 2026-08-29T15:37:07.354998+00:00 | 7531-10-17

The Molniya was a modification of the well-known R-7 Semyorka rocket and had four stages. The 8K78 resulted from a crash program by the Korolev Bureau to develop a booster for launching planetary probes. A larger third stage was added along with a fourth stage (Blok L) that was designed to fire in-orbit to send the payload out of LEO. The basic R-7 core was also structurally strengthened and given more powerful engines. A rushed development produced multiple malfunctions of the upper stages, which led to its being replaced by the improved Molniya-M in 1964, but there were enough 8K78s left to continue flying them into 1967.

Specifications

Payload Capacity

Lifetime Launch Record

As reported by Launch Library 2 across this rocket's entire history, not just the launches tracked on this site.

Wikipedia