Molniya-M 8K78M Blok MVL

8K78M Blok MVL

Mission Profile

The Molniya-M 8K78M Blok MVL (8K78M Blok MVL) was a four-stage Soviet launch vehicle in the R-7 family, a Molniya variant with a modified Blok L upper stage for improved interplanetary and high-orbit delivery. 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 August 1970, the Molniya-M Blok MVL launched lunar and planetary probes including early Venera Venus missions, as well as Molniya and Prognoz scientific satellites.