Molniya-3K [NPO PM]
Official name MOLNIYA 3-51
Alternative name Molniya-3
Cospar ID 2001-030A
Norad ID 26867
Launch date 2001-07-20
Launch site PKMTR
Launch vehicle Molniya-M (Blok-ML)
Country/Organization Russia
Type application Communication
RCS size LARGE
Decay date 2016-12-19
Shape Cyl + 6 Pan
Mass (kg) 1780
Diameter (m) 1.4
Height (m) 4.4
Span (m^2) 8.6
Lifetime 5 years
Contractors NPO Prikladnoi Mekhaniki (NPO PM)
Propulsion 11D414NS
Configuration KAUR-2
Power 6 deployable solar arrays (1470 W), batteries

The Molniya-3K series satellites are improved versions of the Molniya-3 satellites. As their precedessors, they provide both civil and military communications for Russia.

The Molniya were Soviet communication satellites operating from an inclined highly elliptical earth orbit of 500 km × 40000 km with 12 hour period for coverage of high northern latitudes.

The Molniya satellites feature a unique configuration. The pressurized, three-axis stabilized KAUR-2 satellite bus features six non-articulated solar arrays and is operated in a sun-pointed mode. The antennas are mounted on two telescopic arms and are pointable. Each antenna features an optical tracking system which provides information to direct one of the two antennas to the Earth.

The KAUR-2 bus features the 11D414NS engine on Molniya-3K.

The Molniya-3K satellite are equipped with Omega-S transponders.

Satellite COSPAR Date LS Launch Vehicle Remarks
MOLNIYA 3-51 2001-030A 2001-07-20 PKMTR Molniya-M (Blok-ML)