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Zond-2 - Space launch mission detailed information

MISSION NAME

Zond-2 2

Status

Success

DATE

30 NOV 1964

LAUNCH PROVIDER

Soviet Space Program + -img

Soviet Space Program

Launch Pad

1/5

KAZ

Description

Mars flyby probe

Molniya 8K78

Molniya 8K78

RUS

Rocket Description

The Molniya was a modification of the well-known R-7 Semyorka rocket and had four stages. The 8K78 resulted from a crash program by the Korolev Bureau to develop a booster for launching planetary probes. A larger third stage was added along with a fourth stage (Blok L) that was designed to fire in-orbit to send the payload out of LEO. The basic R-7 core was also structurally strengthened and given more powerful engines. A rushed development produced multiple malfunctions of the upper stages, which led to its being replaced by the improved Molniya-M in 1964, but there were enough 8K78s left to continue flying them into 1967.

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