R-36O·Yuzhnoye Design Bureau
R-36O 8K69M
retired
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Specifications
- Status
- retired
- Height
- 35 m
- Diameter
- 3 m
- Mass
- 180,000 kg
- Stages
- 2
- First flight
- 1970-09-25
- Total launches
- 2
- Success / Fail
- 2 / 0
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.
Payloads it launched
1 loaded