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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

COSMOS 433
Payload