# Molniya-M

> Soviet space launcher rocket

**Wikidata**: [Q2155073](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2155073)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molniya-M)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/molniya-m

## Summary
The Molniya-M is a Soviet space launcher rocket and a prominent member of the R-7 rocket family. Manufactured by the Progress State Research and Production Rocket Space Center, it was designed as a subclass of the R-7 Semyorka intercontinental ballistic missile to carry a wide variety of scientific, planetary, and military payloads.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Rocket model and space launcher.
- **GRAU Index:** 8K78M.
- **Manufacturer:** Progress State Research and Production Rocket Space Center.
- **Parent Family:** R-7 rocket family.
- **Design Lineage:** Subclass of the R-7 Semyorka intercontinental ballistic missile.
- **Primary Payloads:** Lunar probes, planetary landers, scientific research satellites, and military early warning systems.
- **Notable Aliases:** Molniya 8K78M, 8К78М.
- **Country of Origin:** Soviet Union.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the Molniya-M rocket?
A: The Molniya-M is a Soviet space launcher rocket derived from the R-7 Semyorka intercontinental ballistic missile. It was primarily used to launch lunar, planetary, and scientific missions, as well as military satellites.

### Q: Who manufactured the Molniya-M?
A: The rocket was manufactured by the Progress State Research and Production Rocket Space Center. It is part of the extensive R-7 family of rockets.

### Q: What were some of the most famous missions launched by Molniya-M?
A: It launched the Venera 7 probe, which was the first spacecraft to land on Venus, and several missions in the Luna program, including the Luna 10 orbiter and Luna 13 lander. It also deployed the Prognoz scientific satellite series and various military early warning satellites.

## Why It Matters
The Molniya-M was a cornerstone of the Soviet Union's space capabilities, serving as a versatile and reliable launcher for a wide array of mission types. As a derivative of the R-7 Semyorka intercontinental ballistic missile, it represented the successful adaptation of military technology for scientific and exploratory purposes. Its significance is most visible in its contribution to deep space exploration; it was the vehicle that launched the Venera 7 probe, which became the first spacecraft to successfully land on Venus and transmit data back to Earth. Additionally, it facilitated the Soviet lunar program by launching multiple Luna orbiters and landers, including Luna 10 and Luna 13.

Beyond exploration, the Molniya-M played a vital role in global scientific research and national security. It deployed the Prognoz satellite series to study solar phenomena and the Earth's magnetosphere, often as part of international collaborations like the Interball Project. The launcher also provided the backbone for Soviet military space infrastructure, placing numerous early warning satellites into orbit under the Kosmos designation. By supporting both domestic military needs and international scientific payloads from countries like Argentina and Czechoslovakia, the Molniya-M established itself as a multi-functional workhorse of the Cold War era space race.

## Notable For
- **Planetary Firsts:** Successfully launched Venera 7, the Soviet space probe that achieved the first landing on the planet Venus.
- **Lunar Exploration:** Deployed a significant portion of the Luna program, including orbiters Luna 10, 11, 12, and 14, as well as the Luna 13 lander.
- **Scientific Research:** Launched the Prognoz series (1 through 10), which measured charged particles, plasma, magnetic fields, and solar electromagnetic radiation.
- **International Utility:** Served as the launch vehicle for international payloads, including the Argentine Microsat-1 and the Czech Magion 4 and 5 satellites.
- **Military Defense:** Placed multiple military early warning satellites into orbit, such as Kosmos 862, 903, 917, and 1124.

## Body

### Technical Origins and Classification
The Molniya-M, identified by the GRAU index 8K78M, is a specialized space launcher within the R-7 rocket family. It is technically classified as a subclass of the R-7 Semyorka, the world's first intercontinental ballistic missile. The production of these vehicles was handled by the Progress State Research and Production Rocket Space Center.

### Lunar and Planetary Exploration
The Molniya-M was instrumental in the Soviet Union's efforts to explore the Moon and the inner solar system. 
- **Luna Program:** The rocket launched Luna 10 (the first spacecraft to orbit the Moon), Luna 11, Luna 12, Luna 13 (a lunar lander), and Luna 14.
- **Venus Exploration:** It successfully launched Venera 7, which became the first man-made object to return data from the surface of another planet.

### Scientific Satellite Programs
A major portion of the Molniya-M's flight history involved the deployment of scientific research satellites:
- **Prognoz Series:** The rocket launched ten Prognoz satellites designed to study solar wind, radiation belts, and the magnetosphere. Prognoz 9 specifically detected cosmic gamma-ray bursts.
- **Interball Project:** This was a multi-national effort involving four spacecraft, including two Russian Prognoz-series satellites and two Czechoslovakian subsatellites (Magion 4 and 5), all supported by the Molniya-M launcher.
- **Specialized Research:** Other scientific payloads included the Interball Auroral Probe, SRET 1 and 2, and Kosmos 159.

### Military and International Payloads
The Molniya-M provided essential launch services for both national security and international partners:
- **Early Warning Systems:** It launched numerous military satellites under the Kosmos designation, including Kosmos 862, 903, 917, 931, 1030, and 1124, which served as early warning platforms.
- **International Cooperation:** Beyond the Czech Magion satellites, the rocket launched the Argentine Earth observation satellite Microsat-1 and the Skipper spacecraft.

## Schema Markup
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  "description": "Soviet space launcher rocket and member of the R-7 rocket family.",
  "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molniya-M",
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## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013