# Mars 2MV-3 No.1

> Soviet spacecraft

**Wikidata**: [Q18775](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q18775)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_2MV-3_No.1)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mars-2mv-3-no-1

## Summary
Mars 2MV-3 No.1 was a Soviet spacecraft launched in 1962 as part of the Mars exploration program. It failed shortly after launch and did not achieve its mission objectives. The probe was designed to study Mars but disintegrated during Earth orbit insertion.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: November 4, 1962
- **Launch Vehicle**: Molniya rocket
- **Mass**: 890 kilograms
- **COSPAR ID**: 1962-062A
- **Aliases**: Sputnik 24, Марс 1962Б
- **Decay Date**: November 25, 1962 (disintegrated in Earth's atmosphere)
- **Class**: 2MV (a design used for early Soviet Mars and Venus probes)

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Mars 2MV-3 No.1?
A: It was intended to conduct scientific studies of Mars, though its specific mission objectives were not achieved due to launch failure.

### Q: Why did Mars 2MV-3 No.1 fail?
A: The spacecraft disintegrated during Earth orbit insertion on November 25, 1962, and did not proceed to Mars. The exact cause of the failure is not specified in available sources.

### Q: Was Mars 2MV-3 No.1 part of a larger program?
A: Yes, it belonged to the Soviet 2MV probe class, which included multiple missions to Mars and Venus in the early 1960s.

## Why It Matters
Mars 2MV-3 No.1 represents an early attempt by the Soviet Union to explore Mars during the Space Race. Despite its failure, the mission contributed to the development of spacecraft design and launch procedures. Its disintegration highlighted the technical challenges of interplanetary exploration, informing subsequent Soviet missions like the successful Venera and Mars probes. The spacecraft is notable for being part of the 2MV class, a foundational design for uncrewed planetary missions, and its failure underscored the risks and complexities of space travel at the time.

## Notable For
- First use of the 2MV spacecraft class for a Mars mission
- Part of the Soviet Union's early interplanetary exploration efforts
- Disintegration during Earth orbit insertion, emphasizing early spaceflight challenges
- Known by multiple aliases, including Sputnik 24 and Марс 1962Б

## Body
### Mission Overview
Mars 2MV-3 No.1 was launched on November 4, 1962, aboard a Molniya rocket from Gagarin's Start (Baikonur Cosmodrome). It was designed to study Mars as part of the Soviet 2MV probe program but failed to achieve its mission goals.

### Launch and Failure
- **Launch Vehicle**: Molniya rocket (Soviet)
- **Launch Site**: Gagarin's Start
- **Failure Date**: November 25, 1962
- **Outcome**: The spacecraft disintegrated while attempting to enter Earth orbit, preventing further mission progress.

### Specifications
- **Mass**: 890 kg
- **Class**: 2MV (a standardized design for Soviet planetary probes)
- **Identifiers**: 
  - COSPAR ID: 1962-062A
  - Harvard Designation: 1962 Beta Xi 1
  - Aliases: Sputnik 24, Марс 1962Б, マルス2MV-3 No.1

### Legacy
Though unsuccessful, Mars 2MV-3 No.1 provided critical insights into spacecraft durability and launch risks. Its failure influenced improvements in subsequent Soviet missions, including the Mars 2 and Mars 3 probes in 1971. The spacecraft is documented in multiple languages on Wikipedia and holds a sitelink count of 19, reflecting its historical significance in early space exploration.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraftDisplay.do?id=1962-062A)