A number of applications were proposed for it, including use as part of the Soyuz A-B-V complex for crewed circumlunar spaceflight.

Following launch, it would have been refuelled by up to three Soyuz-V tankers, before commencing its mission.

It was primarily intended for use in boosting crewed Soyuz 7K and Soyuz-P spacecraft into higher orbits; the Soyuz-A onto a circumlunar trajectory for human Lunar exploration, and the Soyuz-P into a higher orbit to intercept and destroy another spacecraft.

The NO module housed rendezvous and docking systems for the Soyuz-V, as well as equipment for transferring fuel, and additional manoeuvring thrusters.

Following the cancellation of both the Soyuz 7K and P programmes; the former in favour of the LK-1 spacecraft, and the latter in favour of uncrewed anti-satellite programmes, the Soyuz 9K was no longer required, and it too was cancelled.