# R-36-O

> Soviet orbital missile

**Wikidata**: [Q14886820](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q14886820)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/r-36-o

## Summary
The R-36-O was a Soviet orbital missile designed by the Pivdenne Design Office. It was a variant of the R-36 intercontinental ballistic missile class and was associated with the Tsyklon expendable launch vehicle. The missile had a launch weight of 182,000 kilograms and a height of 32.6 meters.

## Key Facts
*   The R-36-O was a Soviet orbital missile.
*   It was designed by the Pivdenne Design Office and manufactured by Pivdenmash.
*   Its first flight occurred on December 16, 1965.
*   The R-36-O was retired from service on July 28, 1970.
*   It had a launch weight of 182,000 kilograms.
*   The missile measured 32.6 meters in height, 3.35 meters in width, and 3.0 meters in diameter.
*   Its payload mass was 1,700 kilograms to low Earth orbit.
*   It is also known by the aliases SS-9 Mod. 3 and 8К69, with 8К69 being its GRAU index.
*   The R-36-O was a subclass of the R-36 intercontinental ballistic missile and was part of the Tsyklon launch vehicle system.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the R-36-O?
A: The R-36-O was a Soviet orbital missile. It was a specific model within the R-36 class of intercontinental ballistic missiles.

### Q: Who designed and manufactured the R-36-O?
A: The R-36-O was designed by the Pivdenne Design Office and manufactured by Pivdenmash. Both were Soviet entities.

### Q: What were the key dimensions and mass of the R-36-O?
A: The R-36-O had a height of 32.6 meters, a width of 3.35 meters, and a diameter of 3.0 meters. Its launch weight was 182,000 kilograms.

### Q: When was the R-36-O first flown and when was it retired?
A: The R-36-O had its first flight on December 16, 1965. It was retired from service on July 28, 1970.

### Q: What was the payload capacity of the R-36-O?
A: The R-36-O could deliver a payload mass of 1,700 kilograms to low Earth orbit.

## Why It Matters
As a Soviet orbital missile, the R-36-O represented a significant strategic capability during the Cold War. Its classification as an "orbital missile" and its association with the R-36 class of intercontinental ballistic missiles suggest its role in advanced military doctrines, potentially involving Fractional Orbital Bombardment Systems (FOBS). The development and deployment of such a system by the Soviet Union underscored its technological prowess and strategic priorities, aiming to enhance its deterrent capabilities. Its relatively short service life, from its first flight in 1965 to its retirement in 1970, indicates a period of intense innovation and strategic competition, where new missile technologies were rapidly developed and superseded. The R-36-O's existence highlights a critical phase in the arms race, influencing global military strategies and the balance of power.

## Notable For
*   Being a Soviet orbital missile, indicating a specific strategic capability.
*   Its designation as SS-9 Mod. 3 and GRAU index 8К69, distinguishing it within the R-36 family.
*   Its role as a component of the Tsyklon expendable launch vehicle system.
*   Its substantial launch weight of 182,000 kilograms and a height of 32.6 meters.
*   Its relatively brief operational period from its first flight in 1965 to its retirement in 1970.

## Body

### Overview
The R-36-O was a Soviet orbital missile. It is also known by its aliases R-36O, SS-9 Mod. 3, and 8К69, with 8К69 being its GRAU index. The entity is classified as a missile model.

### Classification and Development
The R-36-O was a subclass of the R-36, which was a type of intercontinental ballistic missile designed by the Soviet Union. It was also considered part of the Tsyklon, a Soviet expendable launch vehicle. The missile was designed by the Pivdenne Design Office and manufactured by Pivdenmash. Its country of origin was the Soviet Union.

### Technical Specifications
The R-36-O had the following specifications:
*   **Mass**: 182,000 kilograms (launch weight)
*   **Height**: 32.6 meters
*   **Width**: 3.35 meters
*   **Diameter**: 3.0 meters
*   **Payload Mass**: 1,700 kilograms to low Earth orbit

### Operational History
The first flight of the R-36-O occurred on December 16, 1965. It was retired from service on July 28, 1970.

### Related Entities
The R-36-O is related to several Cosmos spacecraft launches, including:
*   Cosmos 139 (FOBS)
*   Cosmos 160
*   Cosmos 169
*   Cosmos 170
*   Cosmos 171
*   Cosmos 178
*   Cosmos 179
*   Cosmos 183
*   Cosmos 187
*   Cosmos 218
*   Cosmos 244
*   Cosmos 298
*   Cosmos 354
*   Cosmos 365
*   Cosmos 433

```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "R-36-O",
  "description": "Soviet orbital missile",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12176kbz"
  ],
  "additionalType": "https://schema.org/Missile",
  "alternateName": [
    "R-36O",
    "SS-9 Mod. 3",
    "8К69"
  ],
  "countryOfOrigin": "Soviet Union",
  "manufacturer": {
    "@type": "Organization",
    "name": "Pivdenmash"
  },
  "designer": {
    "@type": "Organization",
    "name": "Pivdenne Design Office"
  },
  "height": {
    "@type": "QuantitativeValue",
    "value": "32.6",
    "unitCode": "MTR"
  },
  "width": {
    "@type": "QuantitativeValue",
    "value": "3.35",
    "unitCode": "MTR"
  },
  "weight": {
    "@type": "QuantitativeValue",
    "value": "182000",
    "unitCode": "KGM",
    "description": "launch weight"
  },
  "dateFirstLaunched": "1965-12-16",
  "dateDecommissioned": "1970-07-28"
}

## References

1. [Source](http://www.astronautix.com/r/r-36o8k69.html)