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Soviet and Russian launch vehicles often acquire a moniker associated with the payload or programme for which they are used. For example, UR-500 came to be known as Proton after the earth observation satellite programme. In this guide, spacecraft and other payloads are included on the pages alongside the associated launch vehicle.

Colouring is often subjective. Many reference pictures are poor quality black & white and colour images that do exist are often over-exposed or faded, which can be misleading. However, green, white and black seem to feature heavily as the colouring of choice in both Soviet, and latterly Russian and Ukrainian space programmes.

Graphic by Zarbon