Molniya-2 Satellite Bus

Data current as of 2026-07-20.

The Molniya-2 bus accounts for 19 cataloged objects, of which 3 are in orbit and 0 are active. 16 have reentered. Most are built by OKB10. The largest operator on this bus is GUKOSR. The first launched in 1971, the most recent in 1977.

3
In orbit
0
Active
19
Total launched
16
Reentered

Molniya-2 launched per year

1 2 3 4 1971: 1 launched, 1 since reentered 1972: 3 launched, 3 since reentered 1973: 4 launched, 4 since reentered 1974: 3 launched, 1 since reentered 1975: 4 launched, 3 since reentered 1976: 3 launched, 3 since reentered 1977: 1 launched, 1 since reentered 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977
Still in orbit Since reentered Click a year to list its satellites.

Typical specifications

Most common values across cataloged Molniya-2 satellites.

Manufacturer OKB10
Purpose Communication
Launch mass 1650 kg
Dry mass 1620 kg
Length 4.4 m
Diameter 1.4 m
Span 8.2 m
Shape Cyl + 6 Pan
Power 6 deployable solar arrays (940 W), batteries
Propulsion KDU-414 (S5.19) or KDU-414A (S5.114)
Design life 1 year
Typical orbit 588 min period, 65° inclination

Top operators

GUKOSR 19

Top countries

SU 19

Molniya-2 satellites

Track any of them live in KeepTrack.

Name NORAD COSPAR Owner Launched Orbit Status Track
MOLNIYA 2-17 Molniya-2 09829 1977-010A GUKOSR Feb 11, 1977 91 min, 61.4° Reentered
MOLNIYA 2-16 Molniya-2 09574 1976-116A GUKOSR Dec 2, 1976 634 min, 62.0° Reentered
COSMOS 853 Kosmos-853 09398 1976-088A GUKOSR Sep 1, 1976 88 min, 62.8° Reentered
COSMOS 837 Kosmos-837 08927 1976-062A GUKOSR Jul 1, 1976 87 min, 62.7° Reentered
MOLNIYA 2-15 Molniya-2 08492 1975-121A GUKOSR Dec 17, 1975 101 min, 62.8° Reentered
MOLNIYA 2-14 Molniya-2 08195 1975-081A GUKOSR Sep 9, 1975 713 min, 64.8° Inactive
MOLNIYA 2-13 Molniya-2 08015 1975-063A GUKOSR Jul 8, 1975 97 min, 61.8° Reentered
MOLNIYA 2-12 Molniya-2 07641 1975-009A GUKOSR Feb 6, 1975 648 min, 63.9° Reentered
MOLNIYA 2-11 Molniya-2 07583 1974-102A GUKOSR Dec 21, 1974 672 min, 61.9° Reentered
MOLNIYA 2-10 Molniya-2 07376 1974-056A GUKOSR Jul 23, 1974 716 min, 65.2° Inactive
MOLNIYA 2-9 Molniya-2 07276 1974-026A GUKOSR Apr 26, 1974 588 min, 64.4° Inactive
MOLNIYA 2-8 Molniya-2 07000 1973-106A GUKOSR Dec 25, 1973 109 min, 63.4° Reentered
MOLNIYA 2-7 Molniya-2 06877 1973-076A GUKOSR Oct 19, 1973 687 min, 64.1° Reentered
MOLNIYA 2-6 Molniya-2 06722 1973-045A GUKOSR Jul 11, 1973 468 min, 64.9° Reentered
MOLNIYA 2-5 Molniya-2 06418 1973-018A GUKOSR Apr 5, 1973 712 min, 64.9° Reentered
MOLNIYA 2-4 Molniya-2 06308 1972-098A GUKOSR Dec 12, 1972 687 min, 65.6° Reentered
MOLNIYA 2-3 Molniya-2 06208 1972-075A GUKOSR Sep 30, 1972 712 min, 64.8° Reentered
MOLNIYA 2-2 Molniya-2 06031 1972-037A GUKOSR May 19, 1972 665 min, 64.9° Reentered
MOLNIYA 2-1 Molniya-2 05620 1971-100A GUKOSR Nov 24, 1971 716 min, 65.5° Reentered

Frequently asked questions

How many Molniya-2 satellites are there?

The catalog lists 19 objects built on the Molniya-2 bus. 3 are in orbit and 16 have reentered.

How many Molniya-2 satellites are in orbit?

3 Molniya-2 objects are currently in orbit, of which 0 carry an active status.

Who builds the Molniya-2 bus?

The Molniya-2 bus is most commonly built by OKB10.

When did the first Molniya-2 satellite launch?

The first cataloged Molniya-2 satellite launched in 1971, and the most recent in 1977.

Satellite data compiled by KeepTrack from CelesTrak, Space-Track, and GCAT, provided under CC BY-NC 4.0.