MISSION NAME
OGCh 4 4
Status
Success
DATE
19 MAY 1966
LAUNCH PROVIDER
Soviet Space Program
Launch Pad
67/22
Description
Missile equipped with the 8F021 warhead
R-36O 8K69
Rocket Description
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.