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]
Spacecraft
The Mars 4 spacecraft carried an array of instruments to study Mars. In addition to cameras, it was equipped with a radio telescope, an IR radiometer, multiple photometers, polarimeters, a magnetometer, plasma traps, an electrostatic analyzer, a gamma-ray spectrometer, and a radio probe.[6]
Built by Lavochkin, Mars 4 was the first of two 3MS spacecraft launched to Mars in 1973, being followed by Mars 5. A 3MS was also launched during the 1971 launch window as Kosmos 419. However, due to a launch failure, it failed to depart Earth orbit. In addition to the orbiters, two 3MP lander missions, Mars 6 and Mars 7, were launched during the 1973 window.
Launch
Mars 4 was launched by a Proton-K carrier rocket, a Blok D upper stage, flying from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 81/23.[3] The launch occurred at 19:30:59 UTC on 21 July 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 4 into heliocentric orbit bound for Mars.
Shortly after performing a course correction on 30 July 1973, two onboard computers failed, leaving Mars 4 unable to perform maneuvers. As a result of this, it was unable to enter orbit around Mars. Twelve photographs were taken on 10 February 1974 from 15:32 UTC to 15:38 UTC as the probe flew past Mars with a closest approach of 1,844 kilometres (1,146 mi) at 15:34 UTC.[7]
Scientific Instruments
Mars 4 orbiter carried 15 scientific instruments on board to study Mars from orbital trajectory[6]
- Atmospheric Radio-probing Instrument
- Radio Telescope
- Infrared Radiometer
- Spectrophotometer
- Narrow-band Photometer
- Narrow-band Interference-Polarization Photometer
- Imaging System
- Photometers
- Two Polarimeters
- Ultraviolet Photometer
- Scattered Solar Radiation Photometer
- Gamma Spectrometer
- Magnetometer
- Plasma Traps
- Multichannel Electrostatic Analyzer
See also
References
- ^ Krebs, Gunter. "Interplanetary Probes". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 12 April 2013.
- ^ "Mars 4". NASA. Retrieved 6 December 2018.
- ^ a b McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 12 April 2013.
- ^ Mark Wade. "Mars M-73". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
- ^ "Mars 4". US National Space Science Data Centre. Retrieved 12 April 2013.
- ^ a b Siddiqi, Asif A. (2002). "1973". Deep Space Chronicle: A Chronology of Deep Space and Planetary Probes 1958-2000 (PDF). Monographs in Aerospace History, No. 24. NASA History Office. pp. 101–106. Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 September 2004.
- ^ Siddiqi, Asif A. (2016). Beyond Earth: A Chronicle of Deep Space Exploration 1958-2016, NASA History Program Office, http://www.nasa.gov/ebooks.
