# Fobos-Grunt

> former Russian spacecraft

**Wikidata**: [Q210020](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q210020)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fobos-Grunt)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/fobos-grunt

## Summary
Fobos-Grunt was a former Russian spacecraft classified as a lander, designed to descend to the surface of Phobos, one of Mars's moons. Launched on November 8, 2011, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, the mission ended when the spacecraft underwent atmospheric entry and orbit decay on January 15, 2012.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Lander (a spacecraft designed to descend and rest on an astronomical body).
- **Target:** Phobos (identified by property P2210).
- **Launch Date:** November 8, 2011.
- **Launch Site:** Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 45.
- **Launch Vehicle:** Zenit-2M (a Ukrainian rocket).
- **Mission End:** Atmospheric entry and orbit decay on January 15, 2012.
- **COSPAR ID:** 2011-065A.
- **NSSDCA ID:** 2011-065A.
- **Satellite Number (SCN):** 37872.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Fobos-Grunt?
A: Fobos-Grunt was a lander spacecraft intended to descend toward and come to rest on the surface of Phobos.

### Q: When did Fobos-Grunt launch and how long did it remain in orbit?
A: The spacecraft launched on November 8, 2011. It remained in orbit until its decay and atmospheric entry on January 15, 2012.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Fobos-Grunt?
A: The spacecraft was launched using a Zenit-2M rocket, which is a class of Ukrainian rocket, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 45.

## Why It Matters
Fobos-Grunt represents a significant, albeit unsuccessful, effort in interplanetary exploration involving a lander designed for the Martian moon Phobos. Its classification as a "former entity" and "former Russian spacecraft" underscores the mission's failure to achieve its operational goals. Launched in late 2011, the mission aimed to utilize a Zenit-2M launch vehicle to propel the lander toward its target. However, the spacecraft's time in orbit was brief, ending in atmospheric entry in mid-January 2012. The mission is noted for its specific targeting of Phobos and its launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 45.

## Notable For
- Being a Russian lander mission targeting the Martian moon Phobos.
- Utilizing the Zenit-2M, a Ukrainian rocket, for its launch.
- Having a brief mission duration, ending in atmospheric entry approximately two months after launch.
- Launching from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 45.
- Being designated by the COSPAR ID 2011-065A.

## Body
### Mission Overview
Fobos-Grunt was a robotic lander mission. As defined by its class, a lander is a spacecraft designed to descend toward and come to rest on the surface of an astronomical body. The specific target for this mission was Phobos. The entity is currently classified as a "former Russian spacecraft."

### Launch Specifications
The spacecraft was launched on **November 8, 2011**. The launch took place at **Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 45**. The launch vehicle used was the **Zenit-2M**, a type of rocket used for launching satellites and identified in related data as a Ukrainian rocket.

### Mission Conclusion
Following its launch, the Fobos-Grunt spacecraft experienced a significant event classified as "atmospheric entry" on **January 15, 2012**. This date coincides with the recorded "time of object orbit decay," marking the end of the spacecraft's trajectory.

### Identifiers and Aliases
The spacecraft is cataloged internationally under the **COSPAR ID 2011-065A** and the **NSSDCA ID 2011-065A**. It also holds the Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) **37872**.

The entity is known by several aliases across different languages and transliterations, including:
*   Phobos-Grunt
*   Fobos Grunt
*   Phobos Grunt
*   フォボス・ソイル (Japanese)
*   福布斯-土壤 (Chinese)
*   弗伯斯-土壤 (Chinese)
*   火卫一-土壤 (Chinese)
*   Фобос грунт (Russian)
*   Sonda Fobos-Grunt

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. KBpedia