The Molniya-M (Russian: Молния meaning lightning) designation 8K78M was a Russian (previously Soviet) carrier rocket derived from the R-7 Semyorka ICBM. Chiefly designed to correct design deficiencies in the third stage of the 8K78 booster it was first launched in 1964 and had replaced its predecessor Molniya by the end of 1965. During 1967 the improved core stage and strap-ons from the Soyuz 11A57 were adopted and made standard on all R-7 based vehicles.
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