Mars 3 was an unmanned space probe of the Soviet Mars program which spanned between 1960 and 1973. Mars 3 was launched nine days after its twin spacecraft Mars 2. Both probes were identical spacecraft, each consisting of an orbiter and an attached lander. After Mars 2 crash-landed on the martian surface, Mars 3 lander became the first spacecraft to attain soft landing on Mars. Both probes were launched by Proton-K rockets with Blok D upper stages.
- Launch Date/Time:
- Mars 3: May 28, 1971 at 15:26:30 UTC
- Launch mass (including fuel):
- Combined: 4,650 kg (10,300 lb)
- Orbiter: 3,440 kg (7,600 lb)
- Lander: 1,210 kg (2,700 lb)
- On-orbit dry mass: 2,265 kg (4,990 lb)
- Dimensions: 4.1 m (13.5 ft) tall, 2 m (6.6 ft) across (5.9 m (19.4 ft) across with solar panels deployed)
Famous quotes containing the word mars:
“The sword’s a cross; thereon He died:
On breast of Mars the goddess sighed.”
—William Butler Yeats (1865–1939)