# Mars 2

> Soviet Mars probe

**Wikidata**: [Q247305](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q247305)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_2)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mars-2

## Summary
Mars 2 was a Soviet space probe launched on May 19, 1971, as part of the Mars program. It was designed to study Mars and its environment, including its atmosphere, surface, and magnetic field. The mission included an orbiter and a lander, but the lander failed to transmit data after landing on November 27, 1971.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: May 19, 1971
- **Country**: Soviet Union
- **Operator**: Soviet Union
- **Launch Vehicle**: Proton-K
- **Landing Date**: November 27, 1971
- **Location of Landing**: Hellas Planitia
- **Manufacturer**: S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia
- **Parent Astronomical Body**: Mars
- **Service Retirement**: August 22, 1972
- **Aliases**: M-71 No. 171, Marte 2, ランダー, 火星二号, Mars 2 e 3, مارس ٢, 마스2호
- **Instance Of**: Space probe, artificial satellite

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of the Mars 2 mission?
A: The Mars 2 mission aimed to study Mars, including its atmosphere, surface, and magnetic field. It consisted of an orbiter and a lander, though the lander failed to transmit data after landing.

### Q: When and where was Mars 2 launched?
A: Mars 2 was launched on May 19, 1971, from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 81/24 using a Proton-K rocket.

### Q: What happened to the Mars 2 lander?
A: The Mars 2 lander successfully touched down on Hellas Planitia on November 27, 1971, but it failed to transmit any data back to Earth.

### Q: Who operated the Mars 2 mission?
A: The Mars 2 mission was operated by the Soviet Union, with the S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia serving as the manufacturer.

### Q: What was the significance of the Mars 2 mission?
A: Mars 2 was part of the Soviet Mars program and contributed to early efforts in planetary exploration, despite the lander's failure to return data.

## Why It Matters
Mars 2 was a significant part of the Soviet Mars program, which aimed to explore the Martian environment and search for signs of life. The mission included both an orbiter and a lander, with the orbiter successfully entering Mars' orbit and the lander making a soft landing on the planet's surface. However, the lander's failure to transmit data highlighted the challenges of planetary exploration at the time. Despite this setback, Mars 2 provided valuable data on Mars' atmosphere and magnetic field, contributing to the broader understanding of the planet. The mission also demonstrated the Soviet Union's capability in space exploration, even if the lander's performance fell short of expectations.

## Notable For
- **First Soviet Mars Mission**: Mars 2 was the first Soviet mission to Mars, part of the Mars program.
- **Orbiter and Lander Design**: The mission included both an orbiter and a lander, a common configuration for early planetary probes.
- **Failed Lander Transmission**: Despite a successful landing, the lander failed to transmit any data, a notable setback in the mission.
- **Contribution to Planetary Science**: Mars 2 provided valuable data on Mars' atmosphere and magnetic field, despite the lander's failure.
- **Soviet Space Exploration**: The mission demonstrated the Soviet Union's capability in space exploration, even if the lander's performance was limited.

## Body
### Mission Overview
Mars 2 was launched on May 19, 1971, as part of the Soviet Mars program. The mission included an orbiter and a lander, with the primary goal of studying Mars' atmosphere, surface, and magnetic field. The orbiter successfully entered Mars' orbit, while the lander made a soft landing on Hellas Planitia on November 27, 1971.

### Launch and Trajectory
The Mars 2 spacecraft was launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 81/24 using a Proton-K rocket. The mission followed a trajectory designed to reach Mars, with the orbiter and lander components separating as planned.

### Orbiter Performance
The orbiter component of Mars 2 successfully entered Mars' orbit and began transmitting data. It provided valuable information on the planet's atmosphere and magnetic field, contributing to the scientific understanding of Mars.

### Lander Performance
The lander component of Mars 2 made a successful soft landing on Hellas Planitia on November 27, 1971. However, it failed to transmit any data back to Earth, a significant setback for the mission.

### Scientific Contributions
Despite the lander's failure, Mars 2 provided valuable data on Mars' atmosphere and magnetic field. The mission contributed to the broader understanding of the planet and demonstrated the Soviet Union's capability in space exploration.

### Legacy
Mars 2 was part of the Soviet Mars program, which included several missions to explore the planet. The mission highlighted the challenges of planetary exploration and the importance of reliable communication systems for future missions.

## References

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