# Mars 1

> Soviet space probe launched in 1962

**Wikidata**: [Q678689](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q678689)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_1)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mars-1

## Summary
Mars 1 was a Soviet space probe launched in 1962, marking the first attempt by the USSR to send a spacecraft to Mars. It was part of the 2MV series and carried scientific instruments to study interplanetary space. The mission failed to achieve its primary objective of entering Martian orbit.

## Key Facts
- Launched on November 1, 1962, from Gagarin's Start in Kazakhstan
- Part of the 2MV series of Soviet planetary probes
- Launched aboard a Molniya rocket
- Mass: 893.5 kilograms
- COSPAR ID: 1962-061A
- Orbital period: 519 days
- Apoapsis: 1.604 astronomical units (AU)
- Periapsis: 0.924 AU
- Orbital inclination: 2.68 degrees
- Orbital eccentricity: 0.269
- Designed to study interplanetary space and Mars
- Failed to enter Martian orbit

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of the Mars 1 mission?
A: Mars 1 was designed to study interplanetary space and conduct scientific observations of Mars. It carried instruments to measure cosmic rays, solar wind, and micrometeoroids.

### Q: Why did the Mars 1 mission fail?
A: The mission failed due to a malfunction in the upper stage of the Molniya rocket, which prevented the spacecraft from achieving the necessary trajectory to reach Mars.

### Q: What was the significance of Mars 1?
A: Mars 1 was the first Soviet attempt to send a spacecraft to Mars and contributed to early efforts in planetary exploration. It provided valuable data on the space environment between Earth and Mars.

### Q: How does Mars 1 compare to other Mars missions?
A: Mars 1 was part of the 2MV series, which included other Soviet probes to Mars and Venus. Unlike later successful missions, Mars 1 did not achieve its primary objective of entering Martian orbit.

### Q: What was the launch vehicle for Mars 1?
A: Mars 1 was launched aboard a Molniya rocket from Gagarin's Start in Kazakhstan on November 1, 1962.

## Why It Matters
Mars 1 was a pivotal early attempt in the Soviet Union's ambitious space exploration program. As the first spacecraft launched toward Mars, it represented a significant milestone in the Cold War space race. Despite its failure to enter Martian orbit, the mission provided crucial data on the space environment between Earth and Mars, contributing to scientific understanding of interplanetary travel. The lessons learned from Mars 1 informed later Soviet and international efforts in planetary exploration, paving the way for more successful missions to Mars in the decades to come.

## Notable For
- First Soviet spacecraft launched toward Mars
- Part of the 2MV series of planetary probes
- Carried instruments to study cosmic rays and solar wind
- Failed due to a rocket malfunction, preventing Martian orbit insertion
- Provided early data on interplanetary space conditions

## Body
### Mission Overview
Mars 1 was launched on November 1, 1962, from Gagarin's Start in Kazakhstan. It was part of the 2MV series, a common design used for early Soviet uncrewed probes to Mars and Venus. The spacecraft was designed to study interplanetary space and conduct scientific observations of Mars.

### Launch and Trajectory
Mars 1 was launched aboard a Molniya rocket. However, a malfunction in the upper stage of the rocket prevented the spacecraft from achieving the necessary trajectory to reach Mars. As a result, Mars 1 became an artificial satellite of the Sun with a heliocentric orbit.

### Scientific Instruments
The spacecraft carried instruments to measure cosmic rays, solar wind, and micrometeoroids. These instruments provided valuable data on the space environment between Earth and Mars, contributing to scientific understanding of interplanetary travel.

### Mission Failure
Due to the rocket malfunction, Mars 1 failed to enter Martian orbit. The mission ended when the spacecraft's batteries were depleted, and communication was lost. Despite its failure, Mars 1 was a significant step in the Soviet Union's efforts to explore Mars.

### Historical Context
Mars 1 was the first Soviet spacecraft launched toward Mars, representing a major milestone in the Cold War space race. The mission contributed to early efforts in planetary exploration and provided insights that informed later Soviet and international missions to Mars.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraftDisplay.do?id=1962-061A)