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Plesetsk Cosmodrome
Credit - © Mark Wade
Alternate Name: GIK-1 / GNIIP. Other Name: Mirniy. Type: Orbital Launch Site. Operator: Russia. Country: Russia. Latitude: 62.90981 deg. Longitude: 40.69361 deg. Altitude: 131 m (429 ft). Minimum Inclination: 62.0 degrees. Maximum Inclination: 83.0 degrees.

Plesetsk was the Soviet Union's northern cosmodrome, used for polar orbit launches of mainly military satellites, and was at one time the busiest launch centre in the world. The collapse of the Soviet Union put the main launch site of Baikonur in Kazakh territory. It now seems that once the Proton rocket is retired, Baikonur will be abandoned and Plesetsk will be Russia's primary launch centre. Upgrades to existing launch facilities will allow advanced versions of the Soyuz rocket and the new Angara launch vehicle to be launched from Plesetsk. Plesetsk's major drawback was the lower net payload in geosynchronous orbit from a northern latitude launch site. However Russia is planning to remove the disadvantage by looping geosynchronous satellites around the moon, using lunar gravity to make the necessary orbital plane change.

Plesetsk began as the world's first operational ICBM base. The northern location of Plesetsk allowed more of the continental US to be covered than the more southerly Baikonur. Four massive R-7 Angara integrated launch complexes (numbered SK-1 to SK-4) were built there at the end of the 1950's. The first two sites were completed in 1959, with the first launch being conducted on 30 July. Both sites were accepted into service on 15 December 1959. A second pair of launch pads entered service in 1961.

Each operational R-7 launch site cost 500 million rubles. This included the expense of the down-range radar and the radio control stations, each of which had to be located in taiga or bog and required the building of new roads, power lines, and so on.

The missiles were actually armed with nuclear warheads only once during their service, from September 11 to November 21, 1961, at the time of the Cuban missile crisis. The missiles were aimed at New York, Washington, Los Angeles, and Chicago. A third R-7 missile base (to follow Baikonur and Plesetsk) was planned for Krasnoyarsk but never built. Plesetsk also operationally operated four R-16 ICBM launchers in the 1960's..

Meanwhile, future space plans indicated the need for a launch site that could reach militarily useful polar orbits, inaccessible from Baikonur. Galaktin Yeliseyevich Alpaidze led the expedition to select the site for the Northern Cosmodrome at the beginning of 1962. In December 1962 Plesetsk was selected. The decree was issued on 2 January 1963. Korolev was personally involved in the decision.

A major defect at the Baikonur cosmodrome was that the living quarters were 30 km from the technical positions, forcing the workers to commute 3 to 4 hours a day and requiring many motor vehicles. This was rectified from the beginning at Plesetsk by locating the living quarters only 1 to 2 km from the technical positions. This population centre was named Mirniy.

Mirniy is linked by train to the launch complexes, 36 km away. The left flank of the launch complex array is on the Yemtsa River, and consists of four launch complexes for Soyuz and Molniya launch vehicles, analogous to the R-7 Semyorka launch facilities at Baikonur. The satellite payloads for these pads are prepared and integrated in Mirniy. On the right flank of Plesetsk is the Kosmos-3 Voskhod launch complex, two Chusovaya launch complexes at LC-132 for Kosmos-3M, and until 1974 the Raduga launch complex at LC-133 for the Kosmos-2M. Living areas for the launch service staff are near the pads, together with a nitrogen-oxygen plant, guidance stations, a work management centre, tracking stations, the railroad yard, and a communications centre.

Through good planning from the beginning the cosmodrome was very comfortable. Mirniy is a planned city in the taiga forest, with decent housing, excellent sports and recreation complexes,; fantastic food and juice factories, movie theatres, officer's clubs, a cultural centre, stores, hotels, playgrounds, memorials, and parks. In 1966 Mirniy obtained city status and the population eventually reached 80,000, not counting military staff. It is served by the Pevo Airport. Chief of the cosmodrome for the first 13 years was Alpaidze; first commander of the forces at Plesetsk from 1966 to 1973 was V I Voznyuk.

The first generation R-7 ICBM's already at Plesetsk were soon obsolete. The Yangel R-16U missile with its storable propellants could be launched in three hours from the go command, compared to 12 hours for the R-7 and R-9 Lox/Kerosene missiles. By 1968 all four Angara launch complexes had been taken out of service and were converted to space launch complexes.

The first to be converted was SK-1, renamed LC-41/1. By December 1965 it underwent two test exercises leading to the first space launch from Plesetsk on 17 March 1966. It was modernized in 1976 and finally disassembled in 1981, having been used for 2 R-7A ICBM and 308 R-7 space launches. The last launch from this pad was the Bion launch of 15 September 1989. Reconstruction of SK-1, for use in launch of the modernized Soyuz-2 launch vehicle, began in 1997.

SK-2 (later LC-16/2) was disassembled in 1966 and used to reconstruct LC-31 at Baikonur, which had been badly damaged in the explosion of the booster after an on-pad booster shutdown. It was rebuilt in 1979-1981, with the first launch on 19 February 1981.

SK-3 (renamed LC-43/3) was first used in 1970-1973 but was badly damaged in a rocket explosion on 18 June 1987. After restoration it returned to service in December 1988.

SK-4 (renamed LC-43/4) was used continuously from 1970 until it burned down in the failed launch of a Tselina-D ELINT satellite on 18 March 1980. It was restored to service in April 1983.

A new category of orbital launcher was added when in March 1967 the LC-133 'Raduga' complex for the Kosmos-2 light launch vehicle became operational. Up to its closure in 1977 164 launches were made.

The more powerful Kosmos-3 launch vehicle was first launched at Plesetsk from 1967 to 1969 from the LC-131 'Voskhod' complex. It was then replaced by more permanent facilities at LC-132 for the Kosmos-3M version of the vehicle.

The Tsyklon-3 medium launch vehicle was based on the Tsiklon-2 but featured automatic launch features. Launch complex 32 for the Tsiklon-3 began construction at the beginning of the 1970's at Plesetsk. The first pad was put into operation in 1977 and the second in 1979. This launch complex was developed by KB Transmash Minoshchemash, Chief Designer V N Solovyov.

Additional launch sites at Plesetsk were used for suborbital sounding rocket launches and tests of military missiles. Among these are the LC-158 used for RT-2PM ICBM tests and Start orbital launches.

In the 1980's work began on launch complex 35 for the new medium Zenit launch vehicle. This was not completed before the fall of the Soviet Union. Work was then abandoned since the rocket was built by a company now in the Ukraine, making it unsuitable for military use. The pad is now to be completed for use with the new all-Russian Angara rocket.

In the second half of the 1960's a total of six technical complexes were built, and two more were completed in the 1970's. From March 1966 to the end of the century over 1,500 orbital launches were made from Plesetsk, including the 'jubilee' launches of Cosmos 1000, 1500 and 2000.

Plesetsk was known to have been used for over 1711 major launches from 1963 to 2007.

Launch Pads
  • LC16/2 - Latitude: 62.9600 deg. Longitude: 40.6834 deg. Used by: Soyuz. First Launch: 1981-02-19. Last Launch: 2007-10-23. Number Launches: 71. Complex 16 was the second R-7A ICBM launch complex to become operationall at Plesetsk, in 1960. In 1969, Pad 2 was cannibalized to upgrade the Area 1 facility in Baikonur. Pad 2 was not again brought into operation until 1979. It was then completely renovated as a space launch pad for Molniya 8K78M/Soyuz 11A511U class vehicles. The first launch was on 19 February 1981, and it continued in use in this role into the 21st Century.

    The complex followed the design of the protoype facility built at Area 31 of Baikonur and included its own residential area for military personnel and assembly buildings for launchers and payloads. The launchers were assembled and integrated with their payload in a horizontal position and transported to the launch pad by the railway. As operational ICBM facilities, the complex consisted of: Launch pad 2; Assembly Hall 4; and Residential Area 16.

  • LC32 - Latitude: 62.9098 deg. Longitude: 40.6936 deg. Used by: Tsiklon. First Launch: 1982-09-16. Last Launch: 1992-12-25. Number Launches: 65.
  • LC32/1 - Latitude: 62.9073 deg. Longitude: 40.7872 deg. Used by: Tsiklon. First Launch: 1980-01-23. Last Launch: 2001-12-28. Number Launches: 18. Construction of this highly-automated launch complex for the Tsiklon-3 launch vehicle started in 1970. The complex was designed by the Transmash Design bureau led by Chief Designer V N Solovyev. The complex consisted of two pads. The vehicle was assembled and integrated with its payload in the assembly building. It was then delivered to the launch pad by railway in a horizontal position. A launch pad erector placed the rocket into vertical position. No service tower was needed for the storable-propellant booster.
  • LC32/2 - Latitude: 62.9057 deg. Longitude: 40.7895 deg. Used by: Tsiklon. First Launch: 1977-06-24. Last Launch: 2004-12-24. Number Launches: 27. Construction of this highly-automated launch complex for the Tsiklon-3 launch vehicle started in 1970. The complex was designed by the Transmash Design bureau led by Chief Designer V N Solovyev. The complex consisted of two pads. The vehicle was assembled and integrated with its payload in the assembly building. It was then delivered to the launch pad by railway in a horizontal position. A launch pad erector placed the rocket into vertical position. No service tower was needed for the storable-propellant booster.
  • LC41/1 - Latitude: 62.9405 deg. Longitude: 40.5290 deg. Used by: Soyuz. First Launch: 1965-12-14. Last Launch: 1989-09-15. Number Launches: 130. Code named 'Lesobaza', this was the first complex completed at Plesetsk, being declared ready for military service with the R-7A ICBM in November 1959. The complex followed the design of the protoype facility built at Area 31 of Baikonur and included its own residential area for military personnel and assembly buildings for launchers and payloads. The launchers were assembled and integrated with their payload in a horizontal position and transported to the launch pad by the railway. As operational ICBM facilities, the complex consisted of: Launch pad 1; Assembly Hall 142; and Residential Area 41. During the Cuban missile crisis (11 September to 21 November 1962), an R-7A with a live thermonuclear weapon was held in readiness on this pad for launch on the United States with an 8 to 12 hour reaction time from the go order. LC 41 was withdrawn from ICBM service in 1963 and converted to a space launch pad for R-7-derived launch vehicles. The first space launch was on 17 March 1966, and it continued as the only space-launch pad at Plesetsk for this class of booster for serveral years. It continued in service until 1989, when reconstruction began as a pad for launch of the Zenit-2 booster. The collapse of the Soviet Union ended this work (the Zenit-2 being built in the newly-independent Ukraine). Work began in the late 1990's to rebuild it yet again as the launch pad for the new all-Russian Angara booster, but funds for this were a constant problem, leaving completion uncertain.
  • LC43/3 - Latitude: 62.9273 deg. Longitude: 40.4501 deg. Used by: Soyuz. First Launch: 1965-12-21. Last Launch: 2002-10-15. Number Launches: 106.
  • LC43/4 - Latitude: 62.9288 deg. Longitude: 40.4572 deg. Used by: Soyuz. First Launch: 1967-07-25. Last Launch: 2006-12-24. Number Launches: 101.
  • LC131 - Latitude: 62.9098 deg. Longitude: 40.6936 deg. Used by: Kosmos 3. First Launch: 1969-07-18. Last Launch: 1969-07-18. Number Launches: 1.
  • LC132/1 - Latitude: 62.8833 deg. Longitude: 40.8686 deg. Used by: Kosmos 3. First Launch: 1967-05-15. Last Launch: 2008-03-27. Number Launches: 228.
  • LC132/2 - Latitude: 62.8834 deg. Longitude: 40.8722 deg. Used by: Kosmos 3. First Launch: 1967-06-26. Last Launch: 1990-04-25. Number Launches: 154.
  • LC133/1 - Latitude: 62.8868 deg. Longitude: 40.8468 deg. Used by: Kosmos 2, UR-100N. First Launch: 1967-03-16. Last Launch: 2002-03-17. Number Launches: 92.
  • LC133/3 - Latitude: 62.8870 deg. Longitude: 40.8504 deg. Used by: Kosmos 3, UR-100N. First Launch: 1985-10-23. Last Launch: 2006-07-28. Number Launches: 44.
  • LC157 - Latitude: 62.9098 deg. Longitude: 40.6936 deg. Used by: RT-20P, Temp-2S. First Launch: 1967-10-20. Last Launch: 1972-03-14. Number Launches: 2.
  • LC158 - Latitude: 63.0550 deg. Longitude: 41.0794 deg. Used by: Topol. First Launch: 1993-03-25. Last Launch: 1995-03-28. Number Launches: 2.
  • LC161 - Latitude: 62.9098 deg. Longitude: 40.6936 deg. Used by: RT-2. First Launch: 1966-11-04. Last Launch: 1970-01-16. Number Launches: 2.
  • LC163 - Latitude: 62.9098 deg. Longitude: 40.6936 deg. Used by: RT-23. First Launch: 1982-10-26. Last Launch: 1984-01-18. Number Launches: 2.
  • LC167 - Latitude: 62.9098 deg. Longitude: 40.6936 deg. Used by: Topol. First Launch: 1981-09-29. Last Launch: 2000-09-27. Number Launches: 2.
  • PL31 - Latitude: 62.9098 deg. Longitude: 40.6936 deg. Used by: R-9. First Launch: 1967-05-16. Last Launch: 1967-05-16. Number Launches: 1.
  • PU11 - Latitude: 62.8978 deg. Longitude: 40.4953 deg. Used by: R-16. First Launch: 1963-10-22. Last Launch: 1963-10-22. Number Launches: 1.
  • Yu-1 - Latitude: 62.9098 deg. Longitude: 40.6936 deg. Used by: Topol. First Launch: 1994-12-20. Last Launch: 1994-12-20. Number Launches: 1.
  • LC(T1) - Latitude: 62.9806 deg. Longitude: 41.1344 deg. 15Zh58 SP
  • LC(T2) - Latitude: 63.0816 deg. Longitude: 41.0842 deg. 15Zh44/15Zh60 SP
  • LC(T3) - Latitude: 63.1010 deg. Longitude: 41.0938 deg. Topol-M SP
  • LC(T4) - Latitude: 63.1148 deg. Longitude: 41.1126 deg. 15Zh44 SP
General / Launch Complex Unknown Chronology

1958 April - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Plesetsk construction begins. Construction work begins on Angara (R-7) base at Plesetsk.

1959 October 31 - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. First R-7 missiles go on alert at Plesetsk.

1965 December 1 - Launch Vehicle: R-16. Verification Operational test Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

1965 December 1 - Launch Vehicle: R-16. Verification Operational test Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

1967? - Launch Vehicle: RT-2. Test mission Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1967? - Launch Vehicle: RT-2. Test mission Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1967? - Launch Vehicle: RT-2. Test mission Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1967? - Launch Vehicle: RT-2. Test mission Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1967? - Launch Vehicle: RT-2. Test mission Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1967? - Launch Vehicle: RT-2. Test mission Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1967? - Launch Vehicle: RT-2. Test mission Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1967? - Launch Vehicle: RT-2. Test mission Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1967? - Launch Vehicle: RT-2. Test mission Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1967? - Launch Vehicle: RT-2. Test mission Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1967? - Launch Vehicle: RT-2. Test mission Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1967 September 11 - 10:30 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 175 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 181 km (112 mi). Apogee: 356 km (221 mi). Inclination: 72.80 deg. Period: 89.80 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule

1967 October 24 - 22:49 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 184 Mass: 4,730 kg (10,420 lb). Spacecraft: Meteor. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 409 km (254 mi). Apogee: 414 km (257 mi). Inclination: 81.20 deg. Period: 92.80 min. Investigation of the upper atmosphere and outer space.

1967 November 3 - 11:20 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 190 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 197 km (122 mi). Apogee: 327 km (203 mi). Inclination: 65.60 deg. Period: 89.70 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule

1967 December 3 - 12:00 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 194 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 201 km (124 mi). Apogee: 312 km (193 mi). Inclination: 65.60 deg. Period: 89.60 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule

1968? - Launch Vehicle: RT-2. Test mission Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1968? - Launch Vehicle: RT-20P. Test mission Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1968 - Launch Vehicle: RT-2. Test mission Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1968? - Launch Vehicle: RT-20P. Test mission Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1968? - Launch Vehicle: RT-2. Test mission Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1968? - Launch Vehicle: RT-2. Test mission Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1968 - Launch Vehicle: RT-20P. FAILURE: Failure. Test mission Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 0 km ( mi).

1968 - Launch Vehicle: RT-20P. FAILURE: Failure. Test mission Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 0 km ( mi).

1968? - Launch Vehicle: RT-2. Test mission Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1968? - Launch Vehicle: RT-2. Test mission Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1968? - Launch Vehicle: RT-20P. Test mission Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1968? - Launch Vehicle: RT-2. Test mission Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1968 - Launch Vehicle: RT-20P. FAILURE: Failure. Test mission Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 0 km ( mi).

1968? - Launch Vehicle: RT-2. Test mission Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1968? - Launch Vehicle: RT-2. Test mission Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1968? - Launch Vehicle: RT-2. Test mission Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1968 February 12 - Launch Vehicle: RT-20P. FAILURE: Failure. Test mission Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 0 km ( mi).

1968 March 14 - 09:34 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 206 Mass: 4,730 kg (10,420 lb). Spacecraft: Meteor. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 396 km (246 mi). Apogee: 405 km (251 mi). Inclination: 81.20 deg. Period: 92.60 min. Visual, IR cloud cover images. Investigation of the upper atmosphere and outer space.

1968 March 16 - 12:30 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 207 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 201 km (124 mi). Apogee: 320 km (190 mi). Inclination: 65.60 deg. Period: 89.70 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule

1968 April 18 - 10:30 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 214 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 200 km (120 mi). Apogee: 373 km (231 mi). Inclination: 81.40 deg. Period: 90.30 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule

1968 June 12 - 13:14 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 226 Mass: 4,730 kg (10,420 lb). Spacecraft: Meteor. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 579 km (359 mi). Apogee: 639 km (397 mi). Inclination: 81.20 deg. Period: 96.90 min. Investigation of the upper atmosphere and outer space.

1968 June 26 - 11:00 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 229 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 207 km (128 mi). Apogee: 327 km (203 mi). Inclination: 72.90 deg. Period: 89.90 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule

1968 July 16 - 13:10 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 232 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 189 km (117 mi). Apogee: 348 km (216 mi). Inclination: 65.30 deg. Period: 89.90 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; also performed weather experiments.

1968 August 27 - 12:29 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 237 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 200 km (120 mi). Apogee: 320 km (190 mi). Inclination: 65.40 deg. Period: 89.70 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule

1968 August 28 - Launch Vehicle: RT-2. Test mission Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1968 August 28 - Launch Vehicle: RT-2. Test mission Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1968 August 28 - Launch Vehicle: RT-2. Test mission Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1968 September 16 - 12:30 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 241 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 198 km (123 mi). Apogee: 326 km (202 mi). Inclination: 65.40 deg. Period: 89.70 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule

1968 October 3 - Launch Vehicle: RT-2. Test mission Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1968 October 7 - 12:05 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 246 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 149 km (92 mi). Apogee: 321 km (199 mi). Inclination: 65.40 deg. Period: 89.20 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule

1968 November 21 - 12:10 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 254 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 197 km (122 mi). Apogee: 335 km (208 mi). Inclination: 65.40 deg. Period: 89.90 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule

1969? - Launch Vehicle: RT-20P. Test mission Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1969 - Launch Vehicle: RT-20P. FAILURE: Failure. Test mission Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 0 km ( mi).

1969 - Launch Vehicle: RT-20P. FAILURE: Failure. Test mission Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 0 km ( mi).

1969 March 6 - 12:15 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 270 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 200 km (120 mi). Apogee: 331 km (205 mi). Inclination: 65.40 deg. Period: 89.80 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule

1969 March 15 - 12:15 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 271 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 196 km (121 mi). Apogee: 324 km (201 mi). Inclination: 65.40 deg. Period: 89.70 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule

1969 March 26 - 12:30 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Meteor 1-01 Mass: 3,800 kg (8,300 lb). Spacecraft: Meteor M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 549 km (341 mi). Apogee: 576 km (357 mi). Inclination: 81.20 deg. Period: 95.90 min. Cloud, snow, ice cover data. Acquisition of meteorological information needed for use by the weather service.

1969 April 4 - 10:20 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 276 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 200 km (120 mi). Apogee: 371 km (230 mi). Inclination: 81.40 deg. Period: 90.30 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule

1969 April 29 - Launch Vehicle: RT-2. Test mission Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1969 May 20 - 08:40 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 282 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 202 km (125 mi). Apogee: 321 km (199 mi). Inclination: 65.40 deg. Period: 89.70 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule

1969 June 15 - 08:59 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 286 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 197 km (122 mi). Apogee: 322 km (200 mi). Inclination: 65.40 deg. Period: 89.70 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule

1969 July 10 - 09:00 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 289 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 194 km (120 mi). Apogee: 324 km (201 mi). Inclination: 65.30 deg. Period: 89.60 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule

1969 August 7 - Launch Vehicle: RT-20P. FAILURE: Failure. Test mission Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 0 km ( mi).

1969 August 19 - 13:00 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 294 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 200 km (120 mi). Apogee: 329 km (204 mi). Inclination: 65.40 deg. Period: 89.80 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule

1969 September 2 - 11:00 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 297 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 207 km (128 mi). Apogee: 314 km (195 mi). Inclination: 72.80 deg. Period: 89.70 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule

1969 October 6 - 01:45 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Meteor 1-02 Mass: 3,800 kg (8,300 lb). Spacecraft: Meteor M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 513 km (318 mi). Apogee: 552 km (342 mi). Inclination: 81.20 deg. Period: 95.30 min. Cloud and ice cover imaging; investigated IR, thermal reflection/radiation from Earth's atmosphere. Acquisition of meteorological information needed for use by the weather service.

1969 October 17 - 11:45 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 302 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 198 km (123 mi). Apogee: 321 km (199 mi). Inclination: 65.40 deg. Period: 89.70 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule

December 1969 - Launch Vehicle: RT-2. First launch of RT-2P ICBM. Agency: RVSN.

1969 December 23 - 13:50 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 317 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4MK. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 205 km (127 mi). Apogee: 280 km (170 mi). Inclination: 65.40 deg. Period: 89.30 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; carried charged particle experiments; maneuverable.

1970 January 21 - 12:00 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 322 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 216 km (134 mi). Apogee: 298 km (185 mi). Inclination: 65.30 deg. Period: 89.60 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule

1970 February 10 - 12:00 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 323 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 201 km (124 mi). Apogee: 314 km (195 mi). Inclination: 65.40 deg. Period: 89.70 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule

1970 March 17 - 11:10 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Meteor 1-03 Mass: 3,800 kg (8,300 lb). Spacecraft: Meteor M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 537 km (333 mi). Apogee: 635 km (394 mi). Inclination: 81.20 deg. Period: 96.40 min. Acquisition of meteorological information needed for use by the weather service.

1970 March 27 - 11:45 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 328 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4MK. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 203 km (126 mi). Apogee: 299 km (185 mi). Inclination: 72.90 deg. Period: 89.50 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1970 April 3 - 08:30 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 329 Mass: 6,000 kg (13,200 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-2M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 198 km (123 mi). Apogee: 228 km (141 mi). Inclination: 81.30 deg. Period: 88.80 min. Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule.

1970 April 15 - 09:00 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 333 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 219 km (136 mi). Apogee: 239 km (148 mi). Inclination: 81.30 deg. Period: 89.10 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1970 April 28 - 10:50 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Meteor 1-04 Mass: 3,800 kg (8,300 lb). Spacecraft: Meteor M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 534 km (331 mi). Apogee: 578 km (359 mi). Inclination: 81.20 deg. Period: 95.80 min. Acquisition of meteorological information needed for use by the weather service.

1970 June 17 - 12:59 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 349 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 199 km (123 mi). Apogee: 332 km (206 mi). Inclination: 65.40 deg. Period: 89.80 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule

1970 June 23 - 14:15 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Meteor 1-05 Mass: 3,800 kg (8,300 lb). Spacecraft: Meteor M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 815 km (506 mi). Apogee: 872 km (541 mi). Inclination: 81.20 deg. Period: 101.80 min. Acquisition of meteorological information needed for use by the weather service.

1970 June 26 - 03:23 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Molniya 1-14 Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Spacecraft: Molniya-1. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 459 km (285 mi). Apogee: 39,172 km (24,340 mi). Inclination: 65.50 deg. Period: 703.10 min. Operation of a system of long range telephone-telegraph radiocommunication, and transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to the stations of the Orbita network.

1970 July 9 - 13:35 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 353 Mass: 6,000 kg (13,200 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-2M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 205 km (127 mi). Apogee: 304 km (188 mi). Inclination: 65.40 deg. Period: 89.60 min. Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule.

1970 August 7 - 09:30 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 355 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 198 km (123 mi). Apogee: 321 km (199 mi). Inclination: 65.30 deg. Period: 89.60 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule

1970 September 8 - 10:30 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 361 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 195 km (121 mi). Apogee: 338 km (210 mi). Inclination: 72.80 deg. Period: 89.80 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1970 September 22 - 13:00 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 364 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4MK. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 202 km (125 mi). Apogee: 297 km (184 mi). Inclination: 65.40 deg. Period: 89.50 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1970 September 29 - 08:14 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Molniya 1-15 Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Spacecraft: Molniya-1. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 492 km (305 mi). Apogee: 39,296 km (24,417 mi). Inclination: 65.20 deg. Period: 706.30 min. Operation of a system of long range telephone-telegraph radiocommunication, and transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to the stations of the Orbita network.

1970 October 15 - 11:22 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Meteor 1-06 Mass: 3,800 kg (8,300 lb). Spacecraft: Meteor M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 441 km (274 mi). Apogee: 443 km (275 mi). Inclination: 81.20 deg. Period: 93.40 min. Acquisition of meteorological information needed for use by the weather service.

1970 October 30 - 13:20 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 376 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 207 km (128 mi). Apogee: 286 km (177 mi). Inclination: 65.40 deg. Period: 89.40 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1970 November 1 - Launch Vehicle: RT-2. Test mission Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1970 November 1 - Launch Vehicle: RT-2. Test mission Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1970 November 27 - 15:47 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Molniya 1-16 Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Spacecraft: Molniya-1. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 463 km (287 mi). Apogee: 39,895 km (24,789 mi). Inclination: 65.50 deg. Period: 717.80 min. Operation of a system of long range telephone-telegraph radiocommunication, and transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to the stations of the Orbita network.

1970 December 3 - 13:55 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 383 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4MK. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 204 km (126 mi). Apogee: 279 km (173 mi). Inclination: 65.40 deg. Period: 89.30 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1970 December 10 - 11:10 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 384 Mass: 6,000 kg (13,200 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-2M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 203 km (126 mi). Apogee: 292 km (181 mi). Inclination: 72.90 deg. Period: 89.50 min. Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; deployed science capsule.

1970 December 18 - 16:15 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 389 Mass: 3,800 kg (8,300 lb). Spacecraft: Tselina-D. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 543 km (337 mi). Apogee: 568 km (352 mi). Inclination: 81.20 deg. Period: 95.80 min.

1971 January 20 - 11:24 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Meteor 1-07 Mass: 3,800 kg (8,300 lb). Spacecraft: Meteor M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 538 km (334 mi). Apogee: 550 km (340 mi). Inclination: 81.20 deg. Period: 95.50 min. Acquisition of meteorological information needed for use by the weather service.

1971 March 27 - 10:59 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 401 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 185 km (114 mi). Apogee: 290 km (180 mi). Inclination: 72.80 deg. Period: 89.30 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1971 April 2 - 08:20 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 403 Mass: 6,000 kg (13,200 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-2M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 216 km (134 mi). Apogee: 229 km (142 mi). Inclination: 81.30 deg. Period: 88.90 min. Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule.

1971 April 7 - 07:10 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 405 Mass: 3,800 kg (8,300 lb). Spacecraft: Tselina-D. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 594 km (369 mi). Apogee: 603 km (374 mi). Inclination: 81.20 deg. Period: 96.70 min.

1971 April 14 - 08:00 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 406 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 217 km (134 mi). Apogee: 246 km (152 mi). Inclination: 81.30 deg. Period: 89.20 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1971 April 17 - 11:44 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Meteor 1-08 Mass: 3,800 kg (8,300 lb). Spacecraft: Meteor M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 243 km (150 mi). Apogee: 248 km (154 mi). Inclination: 81.20 deg. Period: 89.40 min. Acquisition of meteorological information needed for use by the weather service.

1971 May 28 - 10:30 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 424 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 204 km (126 mi). Apogee: 282 km (175 mi). Inclination: 65.40 deg. Period: 89.40 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1971 June 11 - 10:00 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 427 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4MK. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 204 km (126 mi). Apogee: 314 km (195 mi). Inclination: 72.80 deg. Period: 89.70 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1971 July 16 - 01:41 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Meteor 1-09 Mass: 3,800 kg (8,300 lb). Spacecraft: Meteor M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 342 km (212 mi). Apogee: 349 km (216 mi). Inclination: 81.20 deg. Period: 91.50 min. Acquisition of meteorological information needed for use by the weather service.

1971 July 23 - 11:00 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 430 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 199 km (123 mi). Apogee: 305 km (189 mi). Inclination: 65.40 deg. Period: 89.50 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1971 July 28 - 03:29 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Molniya 1-18 Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Spacecraft: Molniya-1. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 478 km (297 mi). Apogee: 39,877 km (24,778 mi). Inclination: 65.40 deg. Period: 717.80 min. Operation of a system of long range telephone-telegraph radiocommunication, and transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to the stations of the Orbita network.

1971 September 14 - 13:00 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 438 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4MK. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 205 km (127 mi). Apogee: 279 km (173 mi). Inclination: 65.40 deg. Period: 89.30 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1971 September 21 - 12:00 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 439 Mass: 6,000 kg (13,200 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-2M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 226 km (140 mi). Apogee: 263 km (163 mi). Inclination: 65.40 deg. Period: 89.40 min. Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule.

1971 September 29 - 11:30 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 442 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 182 km (113 mi). Apogee: 313 km (194 mi). Inclination: 72.90 deg. Period: 89.50 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1971 October 7 - 12:30 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 443 Mass: 6,000 kg (13,200 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-2M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 204 km (126 mi). Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). Inclination: 65.40 deg. Period: 89.50 min. Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; deployed science capsule.

1971 November 2 - 14:25 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 454 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 204 km (126 mi). Apogee: 346 km (214 mi). Inclination: 65.40 deg. Period: 90.00 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1971 November 19 - 12:00 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 456 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 178 km (110 mi). Apogee: 304 km (188 mi). Inclination: 72.90 deg. Period: 89.30 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1971 November 24 - 09:30 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Molniya 2-01 Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Spacecraft: Molniya-2. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 516 km (320 mi). Apogee: 39,553 km (24,577 mi). Inclination: 65.00 deg. Period: 712.00 min. Continued operation of the long-range telephone and telegraph radio-communication system within the Soviet Union and transmission of USSR central television programmes to stations in the Orbita and participating international networks (international cooperation scheme).

1971 December 10 - 11:00 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 464 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 180 km (110 mi). Apogee: 311 km (193 mi). Inclination: 72.00 deg. Period: 89.40 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1971 December 19 - 22:50 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Molniya 1-19 Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Spacecraft: Molniya-1. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 522 km (324 mi). Apogee: 39,126 km (24,311 mi). Inclination: 65.00 deg. Period: 703.50 min. Operation of a system of long range telephone-telegraph radiocommunication, and transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to the stations of the Orbita network.

1971 December 29 - 10:50 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Meteor 1-10 Mass: 3,800 kg (8,300 lb). Spacecraft: Meteor M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 838 km (520 mi). Apogee: 912 km (566 mi). Inclination: 81.30 deg. Period: 102.50 min. Acquisition of meteorological information needed for use by the weather service.

1972 January 1 - Launch Vehicle: RT-2. Test mission Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1972 March 1 - 11:15 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 476 Mass: 3,800 kg (8,300 lb). Spacecraft: Tselina-D. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 379 km (235 mi). Apogee: 388 km (241 mi). Inclination: 81.20 deg. Period: 92.20 min.

1972 March 4 - 10:00 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 477 Mass: 6,000 kg (13,200 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-2M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 202 km (125 mi). Apogee: 306 km (190 mi). Inclination: 72.90 deg. Period: 89.60 min. Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; separated particle flux and radiation experiment capsule.

1972 March 15 - 13:00 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 478 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 176 km (109 mi). Apogee: 282 km (175 mi). Inclination: 65.00 deg. Period: 89.00 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1972 March 30 - 14:05 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Meteor 1-11 Mass: 3,800 kg (8,300 lb). Spacecraft: Meteor M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 855 km (531 mi). Apogee: 877 km (544 mi). Inclination: 81.20 deg. Period: 102.30 min. Acquisition of meteorological information needed for use by the weather service.

1972 April 1 - Launch Vehicle: Temp-2S. Test mission Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1972 April 3 - 10:15 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 483 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 209 km (129 mi). Apogee: 313 km (194 mi). Inclination: 72.80 deg. Period: 89.70 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1972 April 6 - 08:00 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 484 Mass: 6,000 kg (13,200 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-2M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 194 km (120 mi). Apogee: 223 km (138 mi). Inclination: 81.00 deg. Period: 88.60 min. Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; separated cosmic ray experiment capsule.

1972 April 14 - 08:00 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 486 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 178 km (110 mi). Apogee: 234 km (145 mi). Inclination: 81.30 deg. Period: 88.60 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1972 May 5 - 11:20 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 488 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4MK. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 207 km (128 mi). Apogee: 294 km (182 mi). Inclination: 65.40 deg. Period: 89.50 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1972 May 17 - 10:19 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 490 Mass: 6,000 kg (13,200 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-2M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 205 km (127 mi). Apogee: 285 km (177 mi). Inclination: 65.00 deg. Period: 89.30 min. Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; separated electron flux cosmic ray experiment capsule.

1972 May 19 - 14:30 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Molniya 2-02 Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Spacecraft: Molniya-2. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 479 km (297 mi). Apogee: 39,293 km (24,415 mi). Inclination: 65.00 deg. Period: 706.00 min. Continued operation of the long-range telephone and telegraph radio-communication system; transmission of USSR central television programmes to stations in the Orbita network and international cooperation.

1972 June 1 - Launch Vehicle: Temp-2S. Test mission Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1972 June 23 - 11:19 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 495 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 202 km (125 mi). Apogee: 277 km (172 mi). Inclination: 65.40 deg. Period: 89.20 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1972 June 30 - 18:52 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Meteor 1-12 Mass: 3,800 kg (8,300 lb). Spacecraft: Meteor M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 876 km (544 mi). Apogee: 893 km (554 mi). Inclination: 81.20 deg. Period: 102.70 min. Acquisition of meteorological information needed for use by the weather service.

1972 July 13 - 14:30 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 502 Mass: 6,000 kg (13,200 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4MT. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 203 km (126 mi). Apogee: 262 km (162 mi). Inclination: 65.00 deg. Period: 89.10 min. Military topography satellite; returned film capsule; carried science package.

1972 July 19 - 13:45 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 503 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 202 km (125 mi). Apogee: 288 km (178 mi). Inclination: 65.40 deg. Period: 89.40 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1972 July 28 - 10:19 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 512 Mass: 6,000 kg (13,200 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-2M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 202 km (125 mi). Apogee: 273 km (169 mi). Inclination: 65.30 deg. Period: 89.20 min. Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule.

1972 August 18 - 10:00 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 515 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4MK. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 203 km (126 mi). Apogee: 309 km (192 mi). Inclination: 72.80 deg. Period: 89.60 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1972 September 1 - Launch Vehicle: Temp-2S. Test mission Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1972 September 15 - 09:40 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 518 Mass: 6,000 kg (13,200 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-2M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 203 km (126 mi). Apogee: 306 km (190 mi). Inclination: 72.80 deg. Period: 89.50 min. Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; separated science capsule.

1972 September 30 - 20:19 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Molniya 2-03 Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Spacecraft: Molniya-2. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 470 km (290 mi). Apogee: 39,170 km (24,330 mi). Inclination: 65.00 deg. Period: 703.30 min. Continued operation of the long-range telephone and telegraph radio-communication system; transmission of USSR central television programmes to stations in the Orbita network and international cooperation.

1972 October 4 - 12:00 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 522 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 212 km (131 mi). Apogee: 309 km (192 mi). Inclination: 72.00 deg. Period: 89.70 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1972 October 14 - 06:16 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Molniya 1-21 Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Spacecraft: Molniya-1. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 494 km (306 mi). Apogee: 34,684 km (21,551 mi). Inclination: 65.40 deg. Period: 615.40 min. Uncertain if Molniya-1T model was Molniya-1 or Molniya-1T. Operation of the long-range telephone and telegraph radiocommunications system in the USSR; transmission of television programmes to stations in the Orbita network.

1972 October 18 - 11:59 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 525 Mass: 6,000 kg (13,200 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-2M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 207 km (128 mi). Apogee: 268 km (166 mi). Inclination: 65.00 deg. Period: 89.20 min. Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; separated Nauka autonomous subsatellite 16KS No 161 / 1L which tested Kondor control system for Yantar satellite.

1972 October 26 - 22:05 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Meteor 1-13 Mass: 3,800 kg (8,300 lb). Spacecraft: Meteor M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 851 km (528 mi). Apogee: 880 km (540 mi). Inclination: 81.20 deg. Period: 102.30 min. Investigation of the upper atmosphere and outer space.

1972 October 31 - 13:29 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 527 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4MK. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 207 km (128 mi). Apogee: 306 km (190 mi). Inclination: 65.40 deg. Period: 89.60 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1972 December 12 - 06:51 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Molniya 2-04 Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Spacecraft: Molniya-2. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 507 km (315 mi). Apogee: 39,284 km (24,409 mi). Inclination: 65.30 deg. Period: 706.40 min. Continued operation of the long-range telephone and telegraph radio-communication system; transmission of USSR central television programmes to stations in the Orbita network and international cooperation.

1972 December 14 - 13:40 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 538 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 205 km (127 mi). Apogee: 283 km (175 mi). Inclination: 65.40 deg. Period: 89.40 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1972 December 27 - 10:30 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 541 Mass: 6,000 kg (13,200 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4MT. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 218 km (135 mi). Apogee: 348 km (216 mi). Inclination: 81.00 deg. Period: 90.20 min. Military topography satellite; returned film capsule; separated science capsule.

1972 December 28 - 11:00 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 542 Mass: 3,800 kg (8,300 lb). Spacecraft: Tselina-D. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 527 km (327 mi). Apogee: 640 km (390 mi). Inclination: 81.00 deg. Period: 96.30 min.

1973 February 8 - 13:15 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 548 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 205 km (127 mi). Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). Inclination: 65.40 deg. Period: 89.60 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1973 March 1 - 12:40 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 550 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4MK. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 206 km (128 mi). Apogee: 317 km (196 mi). Inclination: 65.40 deg. Period: 89.70 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1973 March 20 - 11:20 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Meteor 1-14 Mass: 3,800 kg (8,300 lb). Spacecraft: Meteor M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 860 km (530 mi). Apogee: 878 km (545 mi). Inclination: 81.20 deg. Period: 102.30 min. Acquisition of meteorological information needed for use by the weather service.

1973 March 22 - 10:00 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 552 Mass: 6,000 kg (13,200 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-2M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 202 km (125 mi). Apogee: 308 km (191 mi). Inclination: 72.00 deg. Period: 89.60 min. Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; separated Nauka autonomous subsatellite 16KS No 162 / 2L which tested Kondor control system for Yantar satellite.

1973 April 5 - 11:11 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Molniya 2-05 Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Spacecraft: Molniya-2. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 532 km (330 mi). Apogee: 39,822 km (24,744 mi). Inclination: 65.20 deg. Period: 717.70 min. Continued operation of the long-range telephone and telegraph radio-communication system within the Soviet Union and transmission of USSR central television programmes to stations in the Orbita and participating international networks (international cooperation scheme).

1973 April 19 - 08:59 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 554 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4MK. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 194 km (120 mi). Apogee: 304 km (188 mi). Inclination: 72.90 deg. Period: 89.50 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable; exploded in orbit.

1973 April 25 - 10:45 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 555 Mass: 6,000 kg (13,200 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-2M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 216 km (134 mi). Apogee: 230 km (140 mi). Inclination: 81.00 deg. Period: 88.90 min. Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; separated science capsule.

1973 May 1 - Launch Vehicle: Temp-2S. Test mission Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1973 May 5 - 07:00 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 556 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4MK. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 199 km (123 mi). Apogee: 240 km (140 mi). Inclination: 81.30 deg. Period: 88.80 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1973 May 23 - 10:30 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 560 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 203 km (126 mi). Apogee: 314 km (195 mi). Inclination: 72.90 deg. Period: 89.70 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1973 May 25 - 13:30 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 561 Mass: 6,000 kg (13,200 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-2M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 206 km (128 mi). Apogee: 295 km (183 mi). Inclination: 65.40 deg. Period: 89.50 min. Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; separated gamma ray telescope experiment capsule.

1973 May 29 - 10:16 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Meteor 1-15 Mass: 3,800 kg (8,300 lb). Spacecraft: Meteor M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 845 km (525 mi). Apogee: 879 km (546 mi). Inclination: 81.20 deg. Period: 102.20 min. Acquisition of meteorological information needed for use by the weather service.

1973 June 1 - Launch Vehicle: Temp-2S. Test mission Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1973 June 6 - 11:30 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 563 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 206 km (128 mi). Apogee: 298 km (185 mi). Inclination: 65.40 deg. Period: 89.50 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1973 June 21 - 13:29 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 575 Mass: 6,000 kg (13,200 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-2M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 204 km (126 mi). Apogee: 271 km (168 mi). Inclination: 65.40 deg. Period: 89.30 min. Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; separated capsule.

1973 June 27 - 11:50 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 576 Mass: 6,000 kg (13,200 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4MT. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 204 km (126 mi). Apogee: 332 km (206 mi). Inclination: 72.90 deg. Period: 89.80 min. Military topography satellite; returned film capsule; separated science capsule.

1973 July 1 - Launch Vehicle: Temp-2S. Test mission Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1973 July 11 - 09:58 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Molniya 2-06 Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Spacecraft: Molniya-2. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 479 km (297 mi). Apogee: 39,292 km (24,414 mi). Inclination: 65.00 deg. Period: 706.00 min. Continued operation of the long-range telephone and telegraph radio-communication system within the Soviet Union and transmission of USSR central television programmes to stations in the Orbita and participating international networks (international cooperation scheme).

1973 July 25 - 11:30 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 577 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 175 km (108 mi). Apogee: 309 km (192 mi). Inclination: 65.40 deg. Period: 89.30 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1973 August 1 - Launch Vehicle: Temp-2S. Test mission Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1973 August 1 - 14:00 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 578 Mass: 6,000 kg (13,200 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-2M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 200 km (120 mi). Apogee: 292 km (181 mi). Inclination: 65.40 deg. Period: 89.40 min. Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule.

1973 August 21 - 12:30 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 579 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 171 km (106 mi). Apogee: 270 km (160 mi). Inclination: 65.40 deg. Period: 88.90 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1973 August 30 - 00:07 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Molniya 1-24 Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Spacecraft: Molniya-1. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 463 km (287 mi). Apogee: 39,893 km (24,788 mi). Inclination: 65.50 deg. Period: 717.80 min. Uncertain if Molniya-1T model was Molniya-1 or Molniya-1T. Operation of a system of long range telephone-telegraph radiocommunication, and transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to the stations of the Orbita network.

1973 September 6 - 10:40 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 584 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 205 km (127 mi). Apogee: 336 km (208 mi). Inclination: 72.90 deg. Period: 90.00 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1973 September 21 - 13:05 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 587 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4MK. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 205 km (127 mi). Apogee: 301 km (187 mi). Inclination: 65.40 deg. Period: 89.60 min. Second flight of Soyuz U launch vehicle. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1973 October 3 - 13:00 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 596 Mass: 6,000 kg (13,200 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-2M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 206 km (128 mi). Apogee: 287 km (178 mi). Inclination: 65.40 deg. Period: 89.40 min. Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule. First test of small film return capsules planned for Yantar spacecraft. SpK capsule FEU-170 No. 1L experienced an electrical short circuit, which led to failure to separate the shell of the capsule after reentry, preventing parachute deployment. The capsule crashed into the ground.

1973 October 6 - 12:30 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 597 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4MK. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 206 km (128 mi). Apogee: 290 km (180 mi). Inclination: 65.40 deg. Period: 89.50 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1973 October 10 - 10:45 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 598 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 208 km (129 mi). Apogee: 334 km (207 mi). Inclination: 72.80 deg. Period: 89.90 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1973 October 16 - 12:00 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 600 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 205 km (127 mi). Apogee: 340 km (210 mi). Inclination: 72.80 deg. Period: 90.00 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1973 October 19 - 10:26 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Molniya 2-07 Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Spacecraft: Molniya-2. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 555 km (344 mi). Apogee: 40,055 km (24,888 mi). Inclination: 62.80 deg. Period: 722.90 min. Continued operation of the long-range telephone and telegraph radio-communication system within the Soviet Union and transmission of USSR central television programmes to stations in the Orbita and participating international networks (international cooperation scheme).

1973 October 20 - 10:14 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 602 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4MK. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 169 km (105 mi). Apogee: 309 km (192 mi). Inclination: 72.80 deg. Period: 89.20 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1973 October 27 - 11:09 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 603 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 205 km (127 mi). Apogee: 357 km (221 mi). Inclination: 72.90 deg. Period: 90.10 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1973 October 29 - 14:00 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 604 Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Spacecraft: Tselina-D. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 413 km (256 mi). Apogee: 424 km (263 mi). Inclination: 81.20 deg. Period: 92.90 min.

1973 November 10 - 12:38 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 607 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4MK. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 203 km (126 mi). Apogee: 341 km (211 mi). Inclination: 72.80 deg. Period: 89.90 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable (?).

1973 November 28 - 11:43 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 612 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4MK. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 188 km (116 mi). Apogee: 339 km (210 mi). Inclination: 72.80 deg. Period: 89.80 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1973 November 30 - 13:08 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Molniya 1-26 Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Spacecraft: Molniya-1. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 619 km (384 mi). Apogee: 40,829 km (25,369 mi). Inclination: 62.90 deg. Period: 740.00 min. Uncertain if Molniya-1T model was Molniya-1 or Molniya-1T. Operation of a system of long range telephone-telegraph radiocommunication, and transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to the stations of the Orbita network.

1973 December 1 - Launch Vehicle: Temp-2S. Test mission Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1973 December 17 - 12:00 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 616 Mass: 6,000 kg (13,200 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4MT. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 206 km (128 mi). Apogee: 332 km (206 mi). Inclination: 72.90 deg. Period: 89.90 min. Military topography satellite; returned film capsule; separated science capsule.

1973 December 21 - 12:30 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 625 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4MK. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 204 km (126 mi). Apogee: 321 km (199 mi). Inclination: 72.80 deg. Period: 89.80 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1973 December 25 - 11:17 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Molniya 2-08 Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Spacecraft: Molniya-2. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 434 km (269 mi). Apogee: 39,934 km (24,813 mi). Inclination: 62.90 deg. Period: 718.00 min. Continued operation of the long-range telephone and telegraph radio-communication system within the Soviet Union and transmission of USSR central television programmes to stations in the Orbita and participating international networks (international cooperation scheme).

1974 - Launch Vehicle: RT-2. Test mission Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1974 January 24 - 15:00 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 629 Mass: 6,000 kg (13,200 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-2M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 197 km (122 mi). Apogee: 289 km (179 mi). Inclination: 62.80 deg. Period: 89.40 min. Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule. First successful test of SpK small film return capsule planned for Yantar. SpK capsule FEU-170-13 No. 1702 / 2L successfully recovered.

1974 January 30 - 11:00 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 630 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4MK. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 203 km (126 mi). Apogee: 346 km (214 mi). Inclination: 72.80 deg. Period: 90.00 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1974 February 1 - Launch Vehicle: Temp-2S. Test mission Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1974 March 5 - 11:38 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Meteor 1-16 Mass: 3,800 kg (8,300 lb). Spacecraft: Meteor M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 821 km (510 mi). Apogee: 877 km (544 mi). Inclination: 81.20 deg. Period: 101.90 min. Investigation of the upper atmosphere and outer space.

1974 March 14 - 10:30 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 635 Mass: 6,000 kg (13,200 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-2M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 204 km (126 mi). Apogee: 322 km (200 mi). Inclination: 72.80 deg. Period: 89.70 min. Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; separated Nauka autonomous subsatellite 17KS M15000-171 / 1L which tested astro-visir and radio altimeter systems for Yantar.

1974 April 4 - 08:30 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 639 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4MK. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 206 km (128 mi). Apogee: 226 km (140 mi). Inclination: 81.30 deg. Period: 88.90 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1974 April 11 - 12:23 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 640 Mass: 6,000 kg (13,200 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-2M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 201 km (124 mi). Apogee: 225 km (139 mi). Inclination: 81.30 deg. Period: 88.80 min. Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; separated capsule (?).

1974 April 20 - 20:53 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Molniya 1-27 Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Spacecraft: Molniya-1. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 606 km (376 mi). Apogee: 39,752 km (24,700 mi). Inclination: 63.00 deg. Period: 717.80 min. Uncertain if Molniya-1T model was Molniya-1 or Molniya-1T. Operation of a system of long range telephone-telegraph radiocommunication, and transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to the stations of the Orbita network.

1974 April 24 - 11:50 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Meteor 1-17 Mass: 3,800 kg (8,300 lb). Spacecraft: Meteor M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 855 km (531 mi). Apogee: 879 km (546 mi). Inclination: 81.20 deg. Period: 102.30 min. Acquisition of meteorological information needed for use by the weather service.

1974 April 26 - 14:23 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Molniya 2-09 Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Spacecraft: Molniya-2. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 1,309 km (813 mi). Apogee: 35,168 km (21,852 mi). Inclination: 64.40 deg. Period: 640.60 min. Continued operation of the long-range telephone and telegraph radio-communication system within the Soviet Union and transmission of USSR central television programmes to stations in the Orbita and participating international networks (international cooperation scheme).

1974 April 29 - 13:30 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 649 Mass: 6,000 kg (13,200 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4MK. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 181 km (112 mi). Apogee: 299 km (185 mi). Inclination: 62.80 deg. Period: 89.30 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1974 May 15 - 12:30 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 653 Mass: 6,000 kg (13,200 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-2M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 192 km (119 mi). Apogee: 287 km (178 mi). Inclination: 62.80 deg. Period: 89.30 min. Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule.

1974 May 30 - 12:45 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 657 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4MK. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 177 km (109 mi). Apogee: 296 km (183 mi). Inclination: 62.80 deg. Period: 89.20 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1974 June 13 - 12:30 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 659 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4MK. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 153 km (95 mi). Apogee: 329 km (204 mi). Inclination: 62.80 deg. Period: 89.30 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1974 June 29 - 12:50 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 664 Mass: 6,000 kg (13,200 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4MT. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 205 km (127 mi). Apogee: 341 km (211 mi). Inclination: 72.90 deg. Period: 90.00 min. Military topography satellite; returned film capsule; separated science capsule.

1974 July 12 - 12:50 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 666 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4MK. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 181 km (112 mi). Apogee: 328 km (203 mi). Inclination: 62.80 deg. Period: 89.60 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1974 July 23 - 01:23 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Molniya 2-10 Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Spacecraft: Molniya-2. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 1,501 km (932 mi). Apogee: 38,868 km (24,151 mi). Inclination: 64.50 deg. Period: 718.10 min. Continued operation of the long-range telephone and telegraph radio-communication system within the Soviet Union and transmission of USSR central television programmes to stations in the Orbita and participating international networks (international cooperation scheme).

1974 July 26 - 07:00 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 669 Mass: 6,000 kg (13,200 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-2M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 207 km (128 mi). Apogee: 229 km (142 mi). Inclination: 81.30 deg. Period: 88.80 min. Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; separated science capsule.

1974 August 7 - 12:50 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 671 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4MK. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 168 km (104 mi). Apogee: 304 km (188 mi). Inclination: 62.80 deg. Period: 89.20 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1974 August 16 - 03:41 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 673 Mass: 3,800 kg (8,300 lb). Spacecraft: Tselina-D. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 399 km (247 mi). Apogee: 416 km (258 mi). Inclination: 81.20 deg. Period: 92.70 min.

1974 October 18 - 15:00 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 688 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4MK. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 179 km (111 mi). Apogee: 349 km (216 mi). Inclination: 62.80 deg. Period: 89.80 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1974 October 24 - 12:39 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Molniya 1-28 Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Spacecraft: Molniya-1. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 607 km (377 mi). Apogee: 40,633 km (25,248 mi). Inclination: 62.80 deg. Period: 735.80 min. Decay date suspect Uncertain if Molniya-1T model was Molniya-1 or Molniya-1T. Operation of a system of long range telephone-telegraph radiocommunication, and transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to the stations of the Orbita network.

1974 October 28 - 10:17 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Meteor 1-19 Mass: 3,800 kg (8,300 lb). Spacecraft: Meteor M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 842 km (523 mi). Apogee: 882 km (548 mi). Inclination: 81.20 deg. Period: 102.20 min. Acquisition of meteorological information needed for use by the weather service.

1974 November 1 - 14:20 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 692 Mass: 6,000 kg (13,200 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-2M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 197 km (122 mi). Apogee: 295 km (183 mi). Inclination: 62.80 deg. Period: 89.40 min. Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule. Second successful test of SpK small film return capsule planned for Yantar. SpK capsule FEU-170 No. 4L successfully recovered.

1974 November 4 - 10:40 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 693 Mass: 6,000 kg (13,200 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4MT. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 219 km (136 mi). Apogee: 243 km (150 mi). Inclination: 81.30 deg. Period: 89.10 min. Military topography satellite; returned film capsule; separated science capsule.

1974 November 16 - 11:45 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 694 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4MK. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 172 km (106 mi). Apogee: 336 km (208 mi). Inclination: 72.80 deg. Period: 89.60 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1974 November 27 - 11:45 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 696 Mass: 6,000 kg (13,200 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-2M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 205 km (127 mi). Apogee: 321 km (199 mi). Inclination: 72.90 deg. Period: 89.80 min. Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule.

1974 December 12 - Launch Vehicle: Temp-2S. Test mission Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1974 December 12 - Launch Vehicle: Temp-2S. Test mission Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1974 December 13 - 13:30 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 697 Mass: 6,600 kg (14,500 lb). Spacecraft: Yantar-2K. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 174 km (108 mi). Apogee: 392 km (243 mi). Inclination: 62.80 deg. Period: 90.20 min. Yantar second generation reconnaissance spacecraft. After failure of the first Yantar-2K launch, a review board recommended modifications to the Soyuz U launch vehicle. This second Yantar still used the Sokol control system from the Zenit and lacked the SpK small film recovery capsules. As planned, after 12 days, the main descent capsule was successfully recovered with its film.

1974 December 17 - 11:45 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Meteor 1-20 Mass: 3,800 kg (8,300 lb). Spacecraft: Meteor M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 846 km (525 mi). Apogee: 868 km (539 mi). Inclination: 81.20 deg. Period: 102.10 min. Acquisition of meteorological information needed for use by the weather service.

1974 December 21 - 02:19 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Molniya 2-11 Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Spacecraft: Molniya-2. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 305 km (189 mi). Apogee: 40,065 km (24,895 mi). Inclination: 61.90 deg. Period: 718.10 min. Operation of the long-range telephone and telegraph radiocommunications system in the USSR; transmission of television programmes to stations in the Orbita network.

1975 - Launch Vehicle: Temp-2S. Test mission Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1975 - Launch Vehicle: Temp-2S. Test mission Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1975 January 23 - 11:00 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 704 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4MK. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 205 km (127 mi). Apogee: 305 km (189 mi). Inclination: 72.90 deg. Period: 89.60 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1975 February 6 - 04:49 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Molniya 2-12 Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Spacecraft: Molniya-2. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 653 km (405 mi). Apogee: 40,746 km (25,318 mi). Inclination: 62.80 deg. Period: 738.70 min. Decay date suspect Operation of the long-range telephone and telegraph radiocommunications system in the USSR; transmission of television programmes to stations in the Orbita network.

1975 February 12 - 14:30 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 709 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4MK. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 181 km (112 mi). Apogee: 310 km (190 mi). Inclination: 62.80 deg. Period: 89.40 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1975 March 21 - 06:50 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 720 Mass: 4,000 kg (8,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4MT. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 212 km (131 mi). Apogee: 273 km (169 mi). Inclination: 62.80 deg. Period: 89.30 min. Military topography satellite; returned film capsule.

1975 March 26 - 08:50 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 721 Mass: 6,000 kg (13,200 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-2M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 208 km (129 mi). Apogee: 228 km (141 mi). Inclination: 81.30 deg. Period: 88.90 min. Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; separated science capsule.

1975 April 1 - 12:30 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Meteor 1-21 Mass: 3,800 kg (8,300 lb). Spacecraft: Meteor M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 853 km (530 mi). Apogee: 884 km (549 mi). Inclination: 81.20 deg. Period: 102.30 min. Acquisition of meteorological information needed for use by the weather service.

1975 April 18 - 10:00 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 728 Mass: 6,000 kg (13,200 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-2M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 209 km (129 mi). Apogee: 311 km (193 mi). Inclination: 72.80 deg. Period: 89.70 min. Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; separated science capsule.

1975 April 24 - 08:05 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 730 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4MK. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 210 km (130 mi). Apogee: 234 km (145 mi). Inclination: 81.30 deg. Period: 89.00 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1975 April 29 - 10:24 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Molniya 1-29 Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Spacecraft: Molniya-1. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 1,983 km (1,232 mi). Apogee: 38,379 km (23,847 mi). Inclination: 63.80 deg. Period: 717.90 min. Uncertain if Molniya-1T model was Molniya-1 or Molniya-1T. Operation of the long-range telephone and telegraph radiocommunications system in the USSR; transmission of television programmes to stations in the Orbita network.

1975 June 3 - 13:21 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 742 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4MK. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 178 km (110 mi). Apogee: 355 km (220 mi). Inclination: 62.90 deg. Period: 89.80 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1975 June 5 - 01:38 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Molniya 1-30 Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Spacecraft: Molniya-1. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 121 km (75 mi). Apogee: 38,307 km (23,802 mi). Inclination: 63.40 deg. Period: 679.10 min. Uncertain if Molniya-1T model was Molniya-1 or Molniya-1T. Operation of the long-range telephone and telegraph radiocommunications system in the USSR; transmission of television programmes to stations in the Orbita network.

1975 June 12 - 12:30 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 743 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4MK. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 181 km (112 mi). Apogee: 331 km (205 mi). Inclination: 62.80 deg. Period: 89.60 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1975 June 20 - 06:54 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 744 Mass: 2,500 kg (5,500 lb). Spacecraft: Tselina-D. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 367 km (228 mi). Apogee: 380 km (230 mi). Inclination: 81.20 deg. Period: 92.00 min.

1975 June 25 - 13:00 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 746 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4MK. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 180 km (110 mi). Apogee: 325 km (201 mi). Inclination: 62.80 deg. Period: 89.50 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1975 June 27 - 13:00 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 747 Mass: 6,000 kg (13,200 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-2M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 204 km (126 mi). Apogee: 280 km (170 mi). Inclination: 62.80 deg. Period: 89.30 min. Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; separated science capsule.

1975 July 3 - 13:40 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 748 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4MK. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 190 km (110 mi). Apogee: 303 km (188 mi). Inclination: 62.80 deg. Period: 89.40 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1975 July 8 - 05:05 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Molniya 2-13 Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Spacecraft: Molniya-2. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 1,887 km (1,172 mi). Apogee: 38,492 km (23,917 mi). Inclination: 63.90 deg. Period: 718.30 min. Operation of the long-range telephone and telegraph radiocommunications system in the USSR; transmission of television programmes to stations in the Orbita network.

1975 July 11 - 04:15 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Meteor 2-01 Mass: 2,750 kg (6,060 lb). Spacecraft: Meteor-2. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 844 km (524 mi). Apogee: 876 km (544 mi). Inclination: 81.30 deg. Period: 102.20 min. Acquisition of meteorological information needed for use by the weather service.

1975 July 23 - 13:00 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 751 Mass: 6,000 kg (13,200 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-2M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 197 km (122 mi). Apogee: 313 km (194 mi). Inclination: 62.80 deg. Period: 89.60 min. Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule.

1975 July 31 - 13:00 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 753 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4MK. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 181 km (112 mi). Apogee: 330 km (200 mi). Inclination: 62.80 deg. Period: 89.60 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1975 August 22 - 02:11 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 756 Mass: 2,500 kg (5,500 lb). Spacecraft: Tselina-D. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 394 km (244 mi). Apogee: 403 km (250 mi). Inclination: 81.20 deg. Period: 92.50 min.

1975 August 27 - 14:45 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 757 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4MK. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 182 km (113 mi). Apogee: 316 km (196 mi). Inclination: 62.80 deg. Period: 89.50 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1975 September 2 - 13:09 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Molniya 1-31 Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Spacecraft: Molniya-1. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 633 km (393 mi). Apogee: 40,598 km (25,226 mi). Inclination: 62.90 deg. Period: 735.60 min. Uncertain if Molniya-1T model was Molniya-1 or Molniya-1T. Operation of the long-range telephone and telegraph radiocommunications system in the USSR; transmission of television programmes to stations in the Orbita network.

1975 September 9 - 00:19 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Molniya 2-14 Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Spacecraft: Molniya-2. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 1,840 km (1,140 mi). Apogee: 38,534 km (23,943 mi). Inclination: 64.00 deg. Period: 718.20 min. Continued operation of the long-range telephone and telegraph radio-communication system within the Soviet Union and transmission of USSR central television programmes to stations in the Orbita and participating international networks (international cooperation scheme).

1975 September 12 - 05:30 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 759 Mass: 6,000 kg (13,200 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4MT. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 231 km (143 mi). Apogee: 276 km (171 mi). Inclination: 62.80 deg. Period: 89.60 min. Military topography satellite; returned film capsule; separated science capsule.

1975 September 18 - 00:12 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Meteor 1-22 Mass: 3,800 kg (8,300 lb). Spacecraft: Meteor M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 800 km (490 mi). Apogee: 909 km (564 mi). Inclination: 81.30 deg. Period: 102.00 min. Acquisition of meteorological information needed for use by the weather service.

1975 September 23 - 10:00 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 769 Mass: 6,000 kg (13,200 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-2M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 203 km (126 mi). Apogee: 307 km (190 mi). Inclination: 72.80 deg. Period: 89.60 min. Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule. Third successful test of SpK small film return capsule planned for Yantar. SpK capsule FEU-170-13 No. 5L successfully recovered.

1975 October 17 - 14:30 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 776 Mass: 6,000 kg (13,200 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-2M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 200 km (120 mi). Apogee: 288 km (178 mi). Inclination: 62.80 deg. Period: 89.40 min. Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; separated science capsule.

1975 November 4 - 15:20 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 779 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4MK. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 182 km (113 mi). Apogee: 341 km (211 mi). Inclination: 62.80 deg. Period: 89.70 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1975 December 3 - 10:00 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 784 Mass: 6,000 kg (13,200 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-2M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 215 km (133 mi). Apogee: 231 km (143 mi). Inclination: 81.30 deg. Period: 88.90 min. Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; separated science capsule.

1975 December 17 - 11:06 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Molniya 2-15 Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Spacecraft: Molniya-2. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 103 km (64 mi). Apogee: 24,113 km (14,983 mi). Inclination: 62.80 deg. Period: 416.90 min. Continued operation of the long-range telephone and telegraph radio-communication system within the Soviet Union and transmission of USSR central television programmes to stations in the Orbita and participating international networks (international cooperation scheme).

1975 December 25 - 19:00 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Meteor 1-23 Mass: 3,800 kg (8,300 lb). Spacecraft: Meteor M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 850 km (520 mi). Apogee: 868 km (539 mi). Inclination: 81.20 deg. Period: 102.10 min. Acquisition of meteorological information needed for use by the weather service.

1976 - Launch Vehicle: Temp-2S. Test mission Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1976 January 7 - 15:35 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 788 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4MK. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 183 km (113 mi). Apogee: 321 km (199 mi). Inclination: 62.80 deg. Period: 89.50 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1976 March 11 - 19:45 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Molniya 1-33 Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Spacecraft: Molniya-1T. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 151 km (93 mi). Apogee: 37,773 km (23,471 mi). Inclination: 62.60 deg. Period: 669.10 min. Continued operation of the long-range telephone and telegraph radio-communication system within the Soviet Union and transmission of USSR central television programmes to stations in the Orbita and participating international networks (international cooperation scheme). Uncertain if Molniya-1T model was Molniya-1 or Molniya-1T.

1976 March 16 - 17:22 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 808 Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). Spacecraft: Tselina-D. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 363 km (225 mi). Apogee: 370 km (220 mi). Inclination: 81.20 deg. Period: 91.90 min.

1976 March 26 - 15:00 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 810 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4MK. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 181 km (112 mi). Apogee: 338 km (210 mi). Inclination: 62.80 deg. Period: 89.70 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1976 March 31 - 12:50 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 811 Mass: 6,000 kg (13,200 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4MT. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 206 km (128 mi). Apogee: 338 km (210 mi). Inclination: 72.90 deg. Period: 90.00 min. Military topography satellite; returned film capsule; also performed mapping, geodesy, earth resources; deployed capsule.

1976 April 7 - 13:05 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Meteor 1-24 Mass: 3,800 kg (8,300 lb). Spacecraft: Meteor M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 832 km (516 mi). Apogee: 881 km (547 mi). Inclination: 81.30 deg. Period: 102.10 min. Acquisition of meteorological information needed for use by the weather service.

1976 April 9 - 08:30 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 813 Mass: 6,000 kg (13,200 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-2M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 209 km (129 mi). Apogee: 236 km (146 mi). Inclination: 81.30 deg. Period: 88.90 min. Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule.

1976 April 28 - 09:30 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 815 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4MK. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 218 km (135 mi). Apogee: 231 km (143 mi). Inclination: 81.30 deg. Period: 89.00 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1976 May 26 - 09:00 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 821 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4MK. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 204 km (126 mi). Apogee: 314 km (195 mi). Inclination: 72.80 deg. Period: 89.70 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1976 June 16 - 13:10 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 833 Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Spacecraft: Zenit-4MK. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 180 km (110 mi). Apogee: 316 km (196 mi). Inclination: 62.80 deg. Period: 89.40 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1976 June 24 - 07:10 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Cosmos 834