Block L home
topic index
Block L rocket stage
Block L Molniya 8K78M
Credit - © Mark Wade
Model: Molniya 8K78-3. Gross Mass: 5,100 kg (11,200 lb). Empty Mass: 1,080 kg (2,380 lb). Thrust (vac): 65.410 kN (14,705 lbf). Isp: 340 sec. Burn time: 192 sec. Propellants: Lox/Kerosene. Isp(sl): 0 sec. Diameter: 2.56 m (8.39 ft). Span: 2.56 m (8.39 ft). Length: 2.84 m (9.31 ft). Country: Russia. No Engines: 1. Motor: S1.5400. Status: Retired 1965. Cost $ : 3.000 million. First Flight: 1963. Last Flight: 1965. No Launched: 4. No Failed: 2.

Stage designed as fourth stage to take R-7 launched payloads into deep space. Adapted from the Luna / Vostok third stage, but with restart capability. The 700 kg BOZ ullage motors and stabilisation platform jettisoned prior to main stage burn. Original version.

Model: Molniya 8K78M-3. Gross Mass: 6,660 kg (14,680 lb). Empty Mass: 1,160 kg (2,550 lb). Thrust (vac): 66.600 kN (14,972 lbf). Isp: 340 sec. Burn time: 250 sec. Propellants: Lox/Kerosene. Diameter: 2.40 m (7.80 ft). Span: 2.56 m (8.39 ft). Length: 3.20 m (10.40 ft). Country: Russia. No Engines: 1. Motor: S1.5400A. Status: Active. First Flight: 1960. Last Flight: 2007. No Launched: 330.

Standardized improved version for Molniya-type communications satellite payloads.

Model: GR-1 Stage 3. Gross Mass: 8,500 kg (18,700 lb). Empty Mass: 1,000 kg (2,200 lb). Thrust (vac): 66.600 kN (14,972 lbf). Isp: 350 sec. Burn time: 380 sec. Propellants: Lox/Kerosene. Isp(sl): 0 sec. Diameter: 2.41 m (7.90 ft). Span: 2.41 m (7.90 ft). Length: 4.60 m (15.00 ft). Country: Russia. No Engines: 1. Motor: 8D726. Other designations: 8K513 Blok V.

Masses estimated based on total vehicle mass of 117 tonnes. This stage was a close cousin of that developed for the Molniya launch vehicle.

Model: N-11GR - V. Gross Mass: 8,200 kg (18,000 lb). Empty Mass: 1,700 kg (3,700 lb). Thrust (vac): 88.200 kN (19,828 lbf). Isp: 346 sec. Burn time: 246 sec. Propellants: Lox/Kerosene. Diameter: 2.40 m (7.80 ft). Span: 2.40 m (7.80 ft). Length: 5.00 m (16.40 ft). Country: Russia. No Engines: 1. Motor: 8D726. Status: Study 1962.

Orbital MIRV stage. Six of these stages clustered around Block B; each stage would have had a 1500 kg nuclear warhead.

Model: Molniya M-3. Gross Mass: 4,500 kg (9,900 lb). Empty Mass: 1,050 kg (2,310 lb). Thrust (vac): 66.600 kN (14,972 lbf). Isp: 340 sec. Burn time: 180 sec. Propellants: Lox/Kerosene. Isp(sl): 0 sec. Diameter: 2.41 m (7.90 ft). Span: 2.41 m (7.90 ft). Length: 2.64 m (8.66 ft). Country: Russia. No Engines: 1. Status: Out of production. Cost $ : 3.000 million.

Model: Blok SO-L. Gross Mass: 6,200 kg (13,600 lb). Empty Mass: 999 kg (2,202 lb). Thrust (vac): 66.700 kN (14,995 lbf). Burn time: 250 sec. Propellants: Lox/Kerosene. Diameter: 2.40 m (7.80 ft). Length: 3.20 m (10.40 ft). Country: Russia. No Engines: 1. Motor: S1.5400. Status: U. Used as: Blok-L. Release conditions: Energiya.

Model: Soyuz M-3. Gross Mass: 5,000 kg (11,000 lb). Empty Mass: 1,000 kg (2,200 lb). Thrust (vac): 20.000 kN (4,496 lbf). Isp: 360 sec. Burn time: 700 sec. Propellants: Lox/Kerosene. Isp(sl): 0 sec. Diameter: 2.40 m (7.80 ft). Span: 2.40 m (7.80 ft). Length: 2.70 m (8.80 ft). Country: Russia. No Engines: 1. Motor: RD-161-1. Status: Development ended 2000. Last Flight: 0. No Launched: 0.

Empty mass estimated. Multiple restart engine.

Used on Launch Vehicles:
Contact us with any corrections, additions, or comments.
Conditions for use of drawings, pictures, or other materials from this site..
To contact astronauts or cosmonauts.

© Mark Wade, 1997 - 2008 except where otherwise noted.