Rocket file · LV-351
R-36O 8K69
R-36O 8K69 is an expendable launch vehicle built by Yuzhnoye Design Bureau. It stands 32.6 m tall, first flew on 28 July 1965. It has flown 21 times with 19 successes, a success rate of 90.5%. It has nothing on the Launch Library 2 schedule right now.
Specification
Vehicle spec sheet
As listed by Launch Library 2. The cost is Launch Library’s figure, not a quoted price. Figures for rockets outside the sixty most-flown were last read on 2026-11-05.
Flight record
Reliability
About R-36O 8K69
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.
Upcoming flights
Manifest
R-36O 8K69 is retired, and no flight is filed.
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Common questions
- How many times has R-36O 8K69 flown?
- 21 times, with 19 successes and 2 failures.
- What is R-36O 8K69's success rate?
- 90.5%. That's 19 successful flights out of 21 attempts.
- How much can R-36O 8K69 lift to orbit?
- Launch Library 2 doesn't list a payload figure for R-36O 8K69.
- Is R-36O 8K69 reusable?
- No. Launch Library 2 lists R-36O 8K69 as expendable, so no stage is recovered to fly again.