MOLNIYA 3-9 (10605)

COSPAR: 1978-009A | Alt Name: Molniya-3
DECAYED

Image
MOLNIYA 3-9 Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

January 24, 1978

Launch Site

PLMSC

Launch Pad

LC43/3

Launch Vehicle

Molniya 8K78M

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

10605

International Designator

1978-009A

Decay Date

12/5/1989

Basic Satellite Info

Name

MOLNIYA 3-9

Alternative Name

Molniya-3

Type

Payload

Status

Decayed

Owner

NPOPM/MSVYAZ

Country

USSR

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Summary

Apologies, there is no summary for this satellite yet. I am working to generate these for every object in the catalog, but it is going to take time.

Physical Characteristics

Length

3.6

Diameter

1.6

Span

8.1

Dry Mass

1700

Launch Mass

1750

Shape

Cyl + 6 Pan

Radar Cross Section

29.4722

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

Molniya-3 No. 20L

Purpose

Unknown

Mission

Unknown

Manufacturer

NPOPM

Life Expectancy

Unknown

Bus

Molniya-3

Configuration

Unknown

Motor

Unknown

Equipment

Unknown

Power System

Unknown

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

Satellite Articles

View All Posts »

Learn more about satellites and other related topics.

The Satellites the Size of a Studio Apartment

The Satellites the Size of a Studio Apartment

AST SpaceMobile's BlueBird constellation is a bet that raw aperture size wins. Each satellite unfolds a 64-square-meter phased-array antenna in orbit, the largest commercial antenna ever deployed. The company claims a stock smartphone on the ground can connect directly to it. The competition says the physics doesn't support that. Seventeen satellites in and a contract with AT&T, Verizon, and Vodafone, somebody's math is wrong.

Space Brief 1 Nov 2025

Space Brief 1 Nov 2025

Today's brief covers the future of military space operations, ESA's potential defense role, significant developments in satellite communications, and SpaceX's response to Artemis 3 comments.

Space Brief 13 Apr 2025

Space Brief 13 Apr 2025

SpaceX launches a doubleheader of satellites while Blue Origin prepares for a historic all-female spaceflight. Also, meet FORMOSAT-5 in our Satellite Spotlight.

X Report 19 Feb 2025

X Report 19 Feb 2025

SpaceX achieves a new milestone with a Falcon 9 landing near The Bahamas, closely following Rocket Lab's successful satellite launch.

Space Brief 4 Nov 2025

Space Brief 4 Nov 2025

Today's brief covers China's new GEO Yaogan satellite launch, India's record-mass commsat, military tech updates, autonomous systems for maritime security, and insights from satellite imagery of Hurricane Melissa's impact in Jamaica.

$4.16B Golden Dome Contract Awarded to SpaceX | KeepTrack X Report

$4.16B Golden Dome Contract Awarded to SpaceX | KeepTrack X Report

SpaceX wins a $4.16B Pentagon contract for missile-tracking satellites, while hitting its 50th Starlink launch of 2026 in a landmark May.

House Backs $55.5B Space Force Budget, Excludes $350B Reconciliation | KeepTrack Space Brief

House Backs $55.5B Space Force Budget, Excludes $350B Reconciliation | KeepTrack Space Brief

House appropriators approved $55.5 billion for Space Force but omitted $350 billion reconciliation funds, threatening Golden Dome and large-scale space programs' acquisition timelines.

Crew-11 Preps for First-Ever ISS Medical Evacuation, Lufthansa Orders Starlink for 850 Jets | KeepTrack X Report

Crew-11 Preps for First-Ever ISS Medical Evacuation, Lufthansa Orders Starlink for 850 Jets | KeepTrack X Report

Crew-11 prepares for historic first ISS medical evacuation via Crew Dragon. Lufthansa Group to equip all 850 aircraft with Starlink. Starship infrastructure advances at Starbase and Cape Canaveral.