Mars 4

Mars 4
Mission typeMars orbiter[1]
OperatorSoviet space program
COSPAR ID1973-047A Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.6742
Mission duration203 days, 20 hours and 7 minutes
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft3MS No.52S
ManufacturerNPO Lavochkin
Launch mass3,440 kg (7,580 lb)[2]
Start of mission
Launch date21 July 1973, 19:30:59 (1973-07-21UTC19:30:59Z) UTC[3]
RocketProton-K/D
Launch siteBaikonur 81/23
ContractorKhrunichev
End of mission
Last contact10 February 1974, 15:38 UTC
Orbital parameters
Reference systemHeliocentric[4]
Perihelion altitude1.02 AU
Aphelion altitude1.63 AU
Inclination2.2°
Period556 days
Flyby of Mars (failed orbiter)
Closest approach10 February 1974, 15:34 UTC
Distance1,844 km (1,146 mi)
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Mars 5 →

Mars 4 (Russian: Марс-4), also known as 3MS No.52S was a Soviet spacecraft intended to explore Mars. A 3MS spacecraft launched as part of the Mars programme, it was intended to enter orbit around Mars in 1974. However, computer problems prevented orbital insertion from occurring.[5]

  1. ^ Krebs, Gunter. "Interplanetary Probes". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 12 April 2013.
  2. ^ "Mars 4". NASA. Retrieved 6 December 2018.
  3. ^ McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 12 April 2013.
  4. ^ Mark Wade. "Mars M-73". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  5. ^ "Mars 4". US National Space Science Data Centre. Retrieved 12 April 2013.