Beskrivning : The basic function of the satellite was to relay television programs and long-distance two-way multichannel telephone, phototelephone, and telegraph links from Moscow to the various standard ground receiving stations in the `Orbita` system.
During its apogee, Molniya 2/3 remained relatively stationary with respect to the earth below for nearly 8 of every 12 hr. By placing three of more Molniya 2 satellites in this type of orbit, spacing them suitably, and shifting their orbital planes relative to each other by 120 deg, a 24-hr/day communication system could be obtained.