Index: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Home > Molniya
Molniya ("lightning") was a military communications satellite system used by the Soviet Union. The satellites used highly eccentric elliptical orbits, which allowed them to be visible to polar regions for long periods (sites near the poles are not able to communicate with satellites in geosynchronous orbits). A satellite in a highly elliptical orbit spends most of its time over a designated area of the earth, a phenomenon known as apogee dwell. This path is also known as a Molniya orbit. American satellites have also used Molniya orbits, including the Satellite Data System cluster.
According to some sources, the Soviet Fractional Orbital Bombardment System functioned by mimicking a standard satellite travelling in a Molniya orbit.
Cold War equipment
Soviet space program
Communications satellites
Molniya was also the name used for one of the many Soviet design bureaus. The Molniya bureau was headed by Matus Bisnovat , and it specialized in the development of missiles. Molniya was responsible for the satellite of the same name.
Earth orbits
Read more »