The MOLNIYA 3-46 satellite, also known as Molniya-3, was launched by Russia on August 23, 1994, from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome using a Molniya 8K78M launch vehicle. It is part of the Molniya-3 series and has a configuration designated as KAUR-2. The satellite measures 3.6 meters in length, with a diameter of 1.6 meters and a span of 8.1 meters. Its dry mass is 1700 kg, and it was launched with a total mass of 1750 kg. Equipped with six deployable solar arrays providing 1000 W and batteries for power storage, the satellite's propulsion system includes KDU-414A (S5.114) or 11D414NS motors. The MOLNIYA 3-46 is owned by VKS/GPKS and its primary mission is communication purposes. Manufactured by NPOPMR, it has a cylindrical shape with a cone and six panels, and an RCS value of 3.5833. The satellite's expected lifetime was three years.