The
Kosmos-3M ( meaning "
Cosmos",
GRAU index 11K65M) is a
Russian space
launch vehicle. It is a liquid-fueled two-stage
rocket, first launched in 1967 and with over 420 successful launches to its name. The Kosmos-3M uses AK27P (
red fuming nitric acid) and
dinitrogen tetroxide as an oxidizer to lift roughly of payload into orbit. It differed from the earlier Kosmos-3 in its finer control of the second-stage burn, allowing operators to tune the thrust and even channel it through nozzles that helped orient the rocket for the launching of multiple satellites at one time.
PO Polyot has manufactured these launch vehicles in the Russian town of
Omsk for decades. It was originally scheduled to be retired from service in 2011; however, in April 2010 the Commander of the Russian Space Forces confirmed that it would be retired by the end of 2010. One further launch, with Kanopus-ST, was planned; however, this was cancelled in late 2012 as the rocket had exceeded its design life while in storage ahead of the launch.