Space: April 7, 2003

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One of the most reliable satellite launchers, the Russian Molniya-M, put a Russian military satellite into orbit on April 2nd. The Molnya-M has been used 222 times, with only six launch failures (a 97 percent success rate). In use since 1960, the current Molniya-M weights 305 tons at lift off and uses kerosene and liquid oxygen for fuel. The four stage booster is 145 feet tall. Each launch can put as much as 6.5 tons into low earth orbit.