MOLNIYA 1-73 (also known as Molniya-1) is a communication satellite launched on August 12, 1988, from the PLMSC launch site using the Molniya 8K78M launch vehicle. It has a configuration of KAUR-2 and measures 4.4 meters in length with a diameter of 1.4 meters and a span of 8.6 meters. The satellite's dry mass is 1,620 kg, and its launch mass was 1,650 kg. Manufactured by NPOPM, it uses KDU-414A (S5.114) as the motor and is powered by six deployable solar arrays along with batteries. Its mission is to provide communication services. The satellite's shape consists of a cylinder with six panels. With an RCS of 22.1168, it was designed for a three-year operational lifetime.