🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD
Molniya-1
Retired 1991Molniya-1 (NORAD 17078, COSPAR 1986-089A) is a retired SU satellite, withdrawn from service around 1 Oct 1991, launched on 15 Nov 1986 on the Molniya-1 No. 60 mission. It is catalogued as Molniya-1T No. 77L. It was operated by UNKS as part of the Molniya-1T 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.
1986
launched
1991
retired
40
years on orbit
1,650
kg mass
Lifecycle
Launched15 Nov 1986 · on the Molniya-1 No. 60 mission
Operational1 Oct 1991 · entered service
Retired1 Oct 1991 · end of operational service
StatusOn orbit (not live-tracked)
Specifications
NORAD ID17078
COSPAR1986-089A
TypeSatellite
OperatorUNKS
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerNPOPM
BusMolniya-1
Mass1,650 kg (1,620 kg dry)
ProgrammeMolniya-1T
CategoryCOM
OrbitHEO (HEO/M)
Altitude482 × 39,868 km
Inclination62.9°
Frequently asked questions
What happened to Molniya-1?
Molniya-1 was retired from service around 1 Oct 1991 after launching in 1986. It is no longer operational but remains catalogued.
Who operated and built Molniya-1?
Molniya-1 was operated by UNKS and built by NPOPM (SU).
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-16.