Jul 29 1974
From The Space Library
The U.S.S.R. launched Molniya 1.S-the first Molniya communications satellite in synchronous orbit-from Baykonur Cosmodrome near Tyuratam into transfer orbit and then into synchronous orbit with a 35 790-km apogee, 35 787-km perigee, 23-hr 56-min period, and 0.0° inclination. Molniya I-S was the second Soviet satellite in synchronous orbit. The first, Cosmos 637, was launched 29 March. Tass announced the purpose of the satellite as "further perfection of communication systems with the use of artificial earth satellites." (GSFC SSR, 31 Aug 74; Tass, FBIS-Sov, 31 July 74, Ul ; SF, 1 Jan 75, 35; SBD, 5 Aug 74, 100)
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