Mars 6
Soviet spacecraft launched in 1973 to study Mars / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mars 6 (Russian: Марс-6), also known as 3MP No.50P was a Soviet spacecraft launched to explore Mars. A 3MP bus spacecraft launched as part of the Mars program, it consisted of a lander, and a coast stage with instruments to study Mars as it flew past.
Quick Facts Mission type, Operator ...
Mission type | Mars flyby/lander[1] |
---|---|
Operator | Soviet space program |
COSPAR ID | Bus: 1973-052A[2] Lander: 1973-052D |
SATCAT no. | Bus: 6768[2] Lander: 7223 |
Mission duration | 7 months 7 days (launch to last contact with lander) |
Spacecraft properties | |
Spacecraft | 3MP No.50P |
Manufacturer | Lavochkin |
Launch mass | 3,260 kg (lander, bus, and fuel)[2] |
Landing mass | 635 kilograms (1,400 lb) |
Start of mission | |
Launch date | 5 August 1973, 17:45:48 (1973-08-05UTC17:45:48Z) UTC[3] |
Rocket | Proton-K/D |
Launch site | Baikonur 81/23 |
End of mission | |
Last contact | Lander: 12 March 1974, 09:11:05 UTC |
Orbital parameters | |
Reference system | Heliocentric[4] |
Perihelion altitude | 1.01 AU |
Aphelion altitude | 1.67 AU |
Inclination | 2.2° |
Period | 567 days |
Flyby of Mars | |
Spacecraft component | Bus |
Closest approach | 12 March 1974, 09:05:53 UTC |
Distance | 1,600 kilometres (990 mi) |
Mars impact (failed landing) | |
Spacecraft component | lander |
Impact date | 12 March 1974, 09:11 UTC |
Impact site | 23.90°S 19.42°W / -23.90; -19.42 |
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