Molniya orbit

A Molniya orbit is a type of highly elliptical orbit with an inclination of 63.4 degrees and an orbital period of about 12 hours. Molniya orbits are named after a series of Soviet/Russian Molniya (Russian: "Lightning") communications satellites that have been using this type of orbit since the mid 1960s.
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Molniya (Russian молния for lightning) may refer to:The Molniya (satellite), the Soviet military communications satellite.Molniya orbit, distinctive orbit associated with the satellite.The Molniya (rocket), a four stage variation of the Soyuz launch vehicleThe Molniya-M, a modernised derivative of the Molniya rocket.OKB-4 Molniya, experimental design bureau responsible for the Molniya R-60 and R-73 air-to-air missilesNPO Molniya, Soviet design bureau responsible for the Shuttle Buran programme Molniya (explosive trap), a KGB explosive device used to prevent cached materials from falling into enemy hands.Molnija, Russian watch and clockmakerTarantul class corvette
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