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First-generation Soviet communication satellite program
Molniya-1 No.2
, a 1,422 kg (3,135 lb)
Molniya-1
satellite, was the first
Soviet
communications satellite
to be launched. However, it failed to achieve orbit due to a malfunction of the rocket which was carrying it.
[1]
It was intended to operate in a
Molniya orbit
, from where it would be used to demonstrate communications between parts of the
USSR
.
Launch
[
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]
Molniya-1 No.2 was launched at 04:00 GMT on 4 June 1964, atop a
Molniya 8K78
launch vehicle
, flying from
Site 1
at the
Baikonur Cosmodrome
.
[2]
A motor circuit in the
servo
controlling the core stage throttle failed 104 seconds into the flight, resulting in the throttle becoming jammed closed and the fuel supply to the engines being stopped.
[3]
Prior to the release of information about its mission,
NASA
had incorrectly identified the launch of Molniya-1 No.2 as a failed attempt to launch a
Zond
spacecraft on a
circumlunar
technology demonstration mission, and assigned it the placeholder designation
Zond 1964A
.
[4]
References
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]
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Payloads are separated by bullets ( · ), launches by pipes ( | ). Crewed flights are indicated in
underline
. Uncatalogued launch failures are listed in
italics
. Payloads deployed from other spacecraft are denoted in (brackets).
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