Mars 6

Mars 6
Mission typeMars flyby/lander[1]
OperatorSoviet space program
COSPAR ID1973-052A
1973-052E
SATCAT no.6768[2]
7223
Mission duration218 days, 15 hours and 25 minutes
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft3MP No.50P
ManufacturerNPO Lavochkin
Launch mass3,260 kg (7,190 lb)[2]
Landing mass635 kg (1,400 lb)
Start of mission
Launch date5 August 1973, 17:45:48 (1973-08-05UTC17:45:48Z) UTC[3]
RocketProton-K/D
Launch siteBaikonur 81/23
ContractorKhrunichev
End of mission
Last contactLander:
12 March 1974, 09:11:05 (1974-03-12UTC09:11:06Z) UTC
Orbital parameters
Reference systemHeliocentric[4]
Perihelion altitude1.01 AU
Aphelion altitude1.67 AU
Inclination2.2°
Period567 days
Flyby of Mars
Spacecraft componentBus
Closest approach12 March 1974, 09:05:53 UTC
Distance1,600 km (990 mi)
Mars impact (failed landing)
Spacecraft componentLander
Impact date12 March 1974, 09:11 UTC
Impact site23°54′S 19°25′W / 23.90°S 19.42°W / -23.90; -19.42
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Mars 7 →

Mars 6 (Russian: Марс-6), also known as 3MP No.50P was a Soviet spacecraft launched to explore Mars. A 3MP bus spacecraft launched as part of the Mars program, it consisted of a lander, and a coast stage with instruments to study Mars as it flew past.

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