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R-36O · Yuzhnoye Design Bureau

R-36O 8K69

retired
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Specifications

Status
retired
Height
32.6 m
Diameter
3 m
Mass
182,000 kg
Stages
2
First flight
1965-07-28
Total launches
21
Success / Fail
19 / 2

The R-36O was the only orbiting military nuclear weapon ever deployed, although in order to remain legal under international treaties it was a 'fractional orbital' weapon. Although American infrared early warning satellites invalidated the 'surprise attack' component of the concept, 18 missiles were operational from 1969 to 1983.

Payloads it launched · 16

COSMOS 354
Payload
COSMOS 298
Payload
COSMOS 244
Payload
COSMOS 218
Payload
COSMOS 187
LEO
COSMOS 183
LEO
COSMOS 179
Payload
OPS 4941
LEO
COSMOS 171
LEO
COSMOS 170
LEO
COSMOS 169
LEO
COSMOS 160
LEO
COSMOS 139
LEO
CIS UNKNOWN 2
LEO
CIS UNKNOWN 1
Payload
OPS 0082 (TRANSIT 13)
LEO