Molniya-M Blok L

8K78M Blok L

Mission Profile

The Molniya-M Blok L (8K78M Blok L) was a four-stage Soviet launch vehicle in the R-7 family, designed for interplanetary and high-energy orbit missions using a Blok L cryogenic upper stage. Standing 43.4 m tall with a 3 m core diameter and a liftoff mass of 305 tonnes, it generated 4,070 kN of liftoff thrust. First flying in February 1964, the Molniya-M Blok L launched early Soviet lunar and planetary probes, early warning satellites, and communications spacecraft into Molniya orbits throughout a long operational career.