Molniya 8K78L (original) (raw)


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Molniya 8K78L


Part of R-7


Russian orbital launch vehicle. The Molniya 8K78L was designed by Korolev's design bureau for launching a manned spacecraft on a flyby of the Moon and return to earth. To achieve this it would have used LOx/LH2 engines in the third and fourth stages. Preliminary design was completed on 8 July 1962, but such technology was years away in the Soviet Union and the project was not pursued further.

AKA: 8K78L;R-7M. Status: Study 1962. Payload: 5,000 kg (11,000 lb).

It was possibly revived in 1974 as the "R-7M", of unknown configuration but with a payload of 12 metric tons to a sun synchronous orbit, over double that of a standard Soyuz-U version.

Payload: 5,000 kg (11,000 lb) to a translunar trajectory.



Family: orbital launch vehicle. Country: Russia. Agency: Korolev bureau.



1962 July 8 - . LV Family: R-7. Launch Vehicle: Molniya 8K78L.


1974 January 2 - . LV Family: N1, R-7, N11, Molniya 8K78L.


1974 February 28 - . LV Family: N1, R-7, N11, Molniya 8K78L.


1974 April 1 - . LV Family: N1, R-7, N11, Molniya 8K78L.

  1. MTKK Space Shuttle - manned version for delivery and return of the crew of astronauts on the MKBS.
  2. MTKK Space Shuttle - cargo version.
  3. SM Special Module - a non-returnable, autonomous and dockable with the MKBS (all-weather reconnaissance)
  4. MSK - the inter-satellite ship - automatic and manned. Launch vehicle - N-11 Payload = 18 tons (23 tons)
    MKBS-1 in sun-synchronous orbit.
    (Mishin Diaries 3-184)


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