LAUNCH MISSION

Soviet Space Program R-36O 8K69 OGCh 4

Name: Soviet Space Program R-36O 8K69 OGCh 4
Start: 1966-05-19T19:30:00.000Z
Location: 67/22

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.

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