Mars 7
In today's world, Mars 7 is a topic that has captured the attention of people of all ages and interests. From academics and subject matter experts, to those simply seeking general information, Mars 7 has become a crucial reference point in modern culture. With its impact on various aspects of society, Mars 7 has generated debates, discussions and reflections that seek to understand its relevance in the current context. In this article, we will explore the different angles of Mars 7, from its origin to its evolution, in order to shed light on one of the most relevant topics today.
 | |
| Mission type | Mars flyby/lander[1] |
|---|---|
| Operator | Soviet space program |
| COSPAR ID | 1973-053A 1973-053E |
| SATCAT no. | 6776[2] 7224 |
| Mission duration | 7 months, 16 days |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft | 3MP No.51P |
| Manufacturer | NPO Lavochkin |
| Launch mass | 3,260 kg (7,190 lb)[2] |
| Landing mass | 635 kg (1,400 lb) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 9 August 1973, 17:00:17 UTC[3] |
| Rocket | Proton-K/D |
| Launch site | Baikonur 81/24 |
| Contractor | Khrunichev |
| End of mission | |
| Last contact | 25 March 1974[4] |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Heliocentric |
| Flyby of Mars | |
| Spacecraft component | Bus |
| Closest approach | 9 March 1974 |
| Mars flyby (failed landing) | |
| Spacecraft component | Lander |
| Closest approach | 9 March 1974 |
| Distance | 1,300 km (810 mi) |
Mars 7 (Russian: Марс-7), also known as 3MP No.51P was a Soviet spacecraft launched in 1973 to explore Mars. A 3MP bus spacecraft which comprised the final mission of the Mars programme, it consisted of a lander and a coast stage with instruments to study Mars as it flew past. Due to a malfunction, the lander failed to perform a maneuver necessary to enter the Martian atmosphere, missing the planet and remaining in heliocentric orbit along with the coast stage.
Spacecraft
Mars 7 spacecraft carried an array of instruments to study Mars. The lander was equipped with a thermometer and barometer to determine the surface conditions, an accelerometer and radio altimeter for descent, and instruments to analyse the surface material including a mass spectrometer.[5] The coast stage, or bus, carried a magnetometer, plasma traps, cosmic ray and micrometeoroid detectors, stereo antennae, and an instrument to study proton and electron fluxes from the Sun.[5]
Built by Lavochkin, Mars 7 was the second of two 3MP spacecraft launched to Mars in 1973, having been preceded by Mars 6. Two orbiters, Mars 4 and Mars 5, were launched earlier in the 1973 Mars launch window and were expected to relay data for the two landers. However, Mars 4 failed to enter orbit, and Mars 5 failed after a few days in orbit.
Launch
Mars 7 was launched by a Proton-K carrier rocket with a Blok D upper stage, flying from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 81/24.[3] The launch occurred at 17:00:17 UTC on 9 August 1973, with the first three stages placing the spacecraft and upper stage into a low Earth parking orbit before the Blok D fired to propel Mars 7 into heliocentric orbit bound for Mars. The spacecraft performed a course correction on 16 August 1973.[5]
Mars 7's lander separated from the flyby bus on 9 March 1974. Initially, it failed to separate. However, it was eventually released to begin its descent. Due to a retrorocket failure, the probe missed the atmosphere of Mars, and, instead of landing, flew past along with the coast stage, with a closest approach of 1,300 km (810 mi).[5] Known faults with the spacecraft's transistors were blamed for the failure, along with that of Mars 4.[5]
See also
References
- ^ Gunter D. Krebs. "Mars 6, 7 (Mars M73 Lander #1, #2)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 13 April 2013.
- ^ a b "Mars 7". nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov. NASA. Retrieved 12 April 2013.
- ^ a b Jonathan McDowell. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 12 April 2013.
- ^ Asif A. Siddiqi (2018). Beyond Earth: A Chronicle of Deep Space Exploration, 1958–2016 (PDF) (second ed.). NASA. ISBN 978-1-626-83043-1.
- ^ a b c d e Asif A. Siddiqi (2002). Deep Space Chronicle: A Chronology of Deep Space and Planetary Probes 1958-2000 (PDF). NASA. pp. 101–106. ISBN 978-1-780-39324-7. NASA-SP-2002-4524.
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