🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD
Molniya-1
Retired 1985Molniya-1 (NORAD 13890, COSPAR 1983-019A) is a retired SU satellite, withdrawn from service around 15 Oct 1985, launched on 16 Mar 1983 on the Molniya-1 mission. It is catalogued as Molniya-1K No. 65L. It was operated by GUKOS as part of the Molniya-1K programme. The spacecraft was built by NPOPM on the Molniya-1 bus, with a mass of 1,650 kg. Historical record from Orbital Radar's satellite archive, cross-referenced with the live satellite catalogue.
1983
launched
1985
retired
43
years on orbit
1,650
kg mass
Lifecycle
Launched16 Mar 1983 · on the Molniya-1 mission
Operational15 Oct 1985 · entered service
Retired15 Oct 1985 · end of operational service
StatusOn orbit (not live-tracked)
Specifications
NORAD ID13890
COSPAR1983-019A
TypeSatellite
OperatorGUKOS
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerNPOPM
BusMolniya-1
Mass1,650 kg (1,620 kg dry)
ProgrammeMolniya-1K
CategoryCOM
OrbitHEO (HEO/M)
Altitude446 × 39,904 km
Inclination62.8°
Frequently asked questions
What happened to Molniya-1?
Molniya-1 was retired from service around 15 Oct 1985 after launching in 1983. It is no longer operational but remains catalogued.
Who operated and built Molniya-1?
Molniya-1 was operated by GUKOS and built by NPOPM (SU).
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-18.