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KAUR-2
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Molniya-1
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This was the first Soviet communications satellite, using the twelve-hour elliptical orbit later dubbed a 'Molniya orbit'. Korolev's OKB-1 began development of Molniya in 1960. It was initially intended as an experimental spacecraft to test the utility of such a satellite for command and control of the armed forces. Existing tropospheric communication Gorizont ground stations required minimal modification for use with Molniya. Initial flights proved Moscow-Vladivostok strategic communications in 1965 to 1967. It quickly proved the new technologies of automatic satellite control and three-axis stabilization. The design was so successful that it was put into production for governmental and military use, and subsequent modifications continued in service well into the 21st Century.
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Molniya-2
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Molniya-2 was the elliptical orbit component of the Soviet YeSSS communications satellite system. Flight tests began in 1971, and it had a brief operational career in 1974-1977 before being succeeded in the YeSSS network by the Molniya-3.
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Molniya-Yu
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This was a modification of the Molniya-1 satellite to test deep space radio-based tracking methods for the Soviet Lunar program.
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Molniya-1T
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This was a modernized Molniya-1 communications satellite with the 'Beta' retransmitter which began flight tests in 1970. The system was operational by 1972. Communications stations for the Rocket Forces, Air Force, and Navy were in place by 1975 (Ruchey Command and Control System). The satellite itself was part of the Korund system, which allowed strategic communications and telephony with military units in Siberia and the Far East.
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Molniya-3
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Development of the Molniya-2M communications satellite, later called Molniya-3, began in 1972. Flight trials began in November 1974. The Molniya-3 group of four satellites was used to create the Orbita communications system for northern regions of the Soviet Union. The land segment used a 12 m diameter parabolic antenna, pointed automatically at the satellite using autonomous electromechanical equipment. Although primarily for civilian applications, later versions were part of the Soviet YeSSS Unified Satellite Communications System. Trials of this version began in the 1980's, with the system being accepted by the military in 1983-1985.
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© Mark Wade, 1997 - 2007 except where otherwise noted.
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