USSR Molniya(Real Korolev Cross)

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The Molniya (Russian: ??????, meaning "lightning"), GRAU Index 8K78, was a modification of the well-known R-7 Semyorka rocket and had four stages.

Variants:
Molniya (R-7 8K78)
Molniya-M
Function:
Medium carrier rocket
Manufacturer:
Energia
Country of origin:
Soviet Union
Size:
Height:
43.44 m (142.5 ft)
Diameter:
10.3 m (33.8 ft)
Mass:
305,000 kg (672,000 lb)
Stages:
4
Associated rockets:
Family:
R-7
Launch history:
Status:
Retired
Launch sites:
Baikonur, Plesetsk
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.

Molniya (E6) was a minor revision adapted for launch of some Luna series space probes.

From:Wikipedia