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{{Short description|Soviet orbiter/lander mission to Mars (1971–1972)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Infobox spaceflight
| name                  = Mars 3

<!--image of the spacecraft/mission-->
| image                 = 
| image_size            = 300px

<!--Basic details-->
| mission_type          = [[Mars]] orbiter/lander
| operator              = Soviet space program
| COSPAR_ID             = {{COSPAR|1971-049A}}<br>{{COSPAR|1971-049F}}
| SATCAT                = 5252<br>5667
| mission_duration      = <small>Orbiter:</small><br>{{time interval|28 May 1971|22 Aug 1972}}<br><small>Lander:</small><br>
{{time interval|2 Dec 1971 13:52:00|2 Dec 1971 13:53:50|show=hms}}

<!--Spacecraft properties-->
| spacecraft_type       = [[4MV|4M]] No.172
| manufacturer          = [[OKB-1]]
| launch_mass           = <small>Total:</small><br>{{cvt|4650|kg|lb|abbr=on}}<br><small>Orbiter:</small><br>{{cvt|3440|kg|lb|abbr=on}}<br><small>Lander:</small><br>{{cvt|1210|kg|abbr=on}}<ref name=nssdc/>
| landing_mass          = {{cvt|358|kg|lb}}
| dry_mass              = {{cvt|2265|kg|lb}}
| dimensions            = {{cvt|4.1|xx|2.0|xx|5.9|m|ft}}

<!--Launch details-->
| launch_date           = {{start-date|28 May 1971, 15:26:30|timezone=yes}}&nbsp;UTC
| launch_rocket         = [[Proton-K]]/[[Blok D|D]]
| launch_site           = [[Baikonur Cosmodrome|Baikonur]] [[Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 81|81/23]]
| launch_contractor     = [[Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center|Khrunichev]]
 

<!--end of mission-->
| disposal_type         = Decommissioned
| declared              = {{end date|1972|08|22}}
| last_contact          = <small>Orbiter:</small><br>July 1972<ref name=beyond/><br><small>Lander:</small><br>2 December 1971, 13:53:50&nbsp;UTC

<!--orbit parameters-->
<!--as science-related articles, SI units should be the principal units of measurement, however we usually use {{convert}} to display imperial units in parentheses after the initial values-->
| orbit_reference       = [[Areocentric orbit|Areocentric]]<ref name=EA/>
| orbit_periapsis       = {{cvt|1528|km|mi}}
| orbit_apoapsis        = {{cvt|214500|km|mi}} 
| orbit_inclination     = 60°
| orbit_period          = 12.67 days
| apsis                 = areion

|interplanetary         = <!--Infobox spaceflight/IP can be called multiple times for missions with multiple targets or combined orbiter/lander missions, etc-->
 {{Infobox spaceflight/IP
   |type                = orbiter
   |object              = [[Mars]]
   |arrival_date        = December 2, 1971
 }}

 {{Infobox spaceflight/IP
   |type                = lander
   |object              = [[Mars]]
   |arrival_date        = December 2, 1971 13:52{{nbsp}}UTC
   |location            = {{Coord|45.0445|S|202.0193|E|globe:Mars|name=Mars 3}} 
 }}

<!--Only use where a spacecraft/mission is part of a clear programme of sequential missions. 
If in doubt, leave it out-->
| programme             = '''[[Mars program]]'''
| previous_mission      = [[Mars 2]]
| next_mission          = [[Mars 4]]

<!--mission insignia or patch-->
| insignia              = 1972 CPA 4114.jpg
| insignia_caption      = Mars 3 (lander) stamp 
}}

'''Mars 3''' was a robotic [[space probe]] of the [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] [[Mars program]], launched May 28, 1971, nine days after its twin spacecraft [[Mars 2]]. The probes were identical [[robotic spacecraft]] launched by [[Proton-K]] rockets with a [[Blok D]] upper stage, each consisting of an [[orbiter]] and an attached [[lander (spacecraft)|lander]].

After the Mars 2 lander crashed on the Martian surface, the Mars 3 lander became the first spacecraft to attain a [[soft landing]] on Mars, on December 2, 1971.  However, it failed 110 seconds after landing, having transmitted only a gray image with no details.<ref name=Perminov1/> The Mars 2 orbiter and Mars 3 orbiter continued to circle Mars and transmit images back to Earth for another eight months.

==Overview==
* Launch date and time:
** Mars 3: May 28, 1971 at 15:26:30 UTC
* Launch mass (including fuel):
** Combined: {{convert|4650|kg|lb|abbr=on}}
** Orbiter: {{convert|3440|kg|lb|abbr=on}}
** Lander: {{convert|1210|kg|lb|abbr=on}}
* On-orbit dry mass: {{convert|2265|kg|lb|abbr=on}}
* Dimensions: {{convert|4.1|m|ft|1|abbr=on}} tall, {{convert|2|m|ft|1|abbr=on}} across ({{convert|5.9|m|ft|1|abbr=on}} across with solar panels deployed)

==Orbiter==
The primary purpose of the 4M-V orbiter was to study the topography of the Martian surface; analyze its soil composition; measure various properties of the atmosphere; monitor "solar radiation, the solar wind and the interplanetary and martian magnetic fields".<ref name=nssdc/> In addition, it served as a "communications relay to send signals from the lander to Earth".<ref name=nssdc/>

The orbiter suffered from a partial loss of fuel and did not have enough to put itself into a planned 25-hour orbit. The engine instead performed a truncated burn to put the spacecraft into a highly-elliptical long-period (12 day, 19 hours) orbit about Mars.

By coincidence, a particularly large [[Storm#Extraterrestrial storms|dust storm]] on Mars adversely affected the mission.  When [[Mariner 9]] arrived and successfully orbited Mars on November 14, 1971, just two weeks prior to Mars 2 and Mars 3, [[Planetary science|planetary scientists]] were surprised to find the [[celestial body's atmosphere|atmosphere]] was thick with "a planet-wide robe of [[dust]], the largest storm ever observed".  The surface was totally obscured.  Unable to reprogram the mission computers, both Mars 2 and Mars 3 dispatched their landers immediately, and the orbiters used up a significant portion of their available data resources in snapping images of the featureless dust clouds. 

The Mars 3 orbiter sent back data covering the period from December 1971 to March 1972, although transmissions continued through August. It was announced that Mars 3 had completed their mission by August 22, 1972, after 20 orbits. The probe, combined with Mars 2, sent back a total of 60 pictures. The images and data revealed mountains as high as 22&nbsp;km, atomic hydrogen and oxygen in the upper atmosphere, surface temperatures ranging from −110&nbsp;°C to +13&nbsp;°C, surface pressures of 5.5 to 6 mb, water vapor concentrations 5000 times less than in Earth's atmosphere, the base of the ionosphere starting at 80 to 110&nbsp;km altitude, and grains from dust storms as high as 7&nbsp;km in the atmosphere. The images and data enabled creation of surface relief maps,<ref name=Perminov1/> and gave information on the Martian [[gravity]] and [[magnetic field]]s.

==Lander==
[[File:FP2A3620 (23497688248) (cropped).jpg|thumb|Mars 3 Lander model at the [[Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics]] in Moscow]]
[[File:Soviet Mars 3 Commemorative Plaque and USSR Emblem.jpg|thumb|Commemorative plaques at the [[Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics]] in Moscow]]

===Lander spacecraft system===
The Mars 3 descent module was mounted on the bus/orbiter opposite the propulsion system. It consisted of a spherical 1.2 m diameter landing capsule, a 2.9 m diameter conical aerodynamic braking shield, a parachute system and [[retro-rocket]]s.

The entire descent module had a fueled mass of 1210&nbsp;kg, the spherical landing capsule accounted for 358&nbsp;kg of this. An automatic control system consisting of [[cold gas thruster|gas micro-engine]]s and pressurized nitrogen containers provided attitude control. Four solid-fuel motors were mounted to the outer edge of the cone to control pitch and yaw.

The main and auxiliary parachutes, the engine to initiate the landing, and the [[radar altimeter]] were mounted on the top section of the lander. Foam was used to absorb shock within the descent module. The landing capsule had four triangular petals which would open after landing, righting the spacecraft and exposing the instrumentation.

The lander was equipped with two television cameras with a 360 degree view of the surface as well as a [[mass spectrometer]] to study atmospheric composition; temperature, pressure, and wind sensors; and devices to measure mechanical and chemical properties of the surface, including a mechanical scoop to search for organic materials and signs of life. It also contained a pennant with the Soviet coat of arms.

Four aerials protruded from the top of the sphere to provide communications with the orbiter via an onboard radio system. The equipment was powered by batteries which were charged by the orbiter prior to separation. Temperature control was maintained through thermal insulation and a system of radiators. The landing capsule was sterilized before launch to prevent contamination of the martian environment.

====PrOP-M rover====
{{Main|PrOP-M}}
[[File:PrOP-M.jpg|thumb|Rendering of the PrOP-M]]
Mars 3 lander had a small 4.5&nbsp;kg [[Mars rover]] on board, which would move across the surface on skis while connected to the lander with a 15-meter umbilical. Two small metal rods were used for autonomous obstacle avoidance, as radio signals from Earth would take too long to drive the rovers using remote control. The rover carried a dynamic penetrometer and a radiation densitometer.<ref name=Perminov1/>

The main PrOP-M frame was a square box with a small protrusion at the center. The frame was supported on two wide flat skis, one extending down from each side elevating the frame slightly above the surface.

The rover was planned to be placed on the surface after landing by a manipulator arm and to move in the field of view of the television cameras and stop to make measurements every 1.5 metres. The traces of movement in the Martian soil would also be recorded to determine material properties.

Due to communication loss it is unknown whether the rover was deployed.

===Entry, descent, landing, transmission, and failure===
[[File:Mars 3 surface transmission.jpg|thumb|The only result received from the camera on Mars 3 lander.]]
Mars 3's descent module was released at 09:14 UT on December 2, 1971, 4 hours 35 minutes before reaching Mars.<ref name=nssdc-2/> The descent module [[Mars atmospheric entry|entered the Martian atmosphere]] at roughly 5.7&nbsp;km/s. Through [[aerodynamic braking]], [[parachute]]s, and [[retrorocket]]s, the lander achieved a soft landing at {{Coord|45|S|202|E|display=inline,title|globe:Mars}}<ref name=NASA-20130411/> and began operations.

The lander began transmitting to the Mars 3 orbiter 90 seconds after landing.<ref name=nssdc-2/> After 20 seconds, transmission stopped for unknown reasons.<ref name=nssdc-2/> It is not known whether the fault originated with the lander or the communications relay on the orbiter. The cause of the failure may have been related to the extremely powerful dust storm taking place at the time which may have induced a [[coronal discharge]], damaging the communications system. The dust storm would also explain the poor image lighting.<ref name=Perminov1/>

A partial image (70 lines) was transmitted. According to V. G. Perminov, the lead designer for Mars and Venus spacecraft at the Lavochkin design bureau during the early days of Mars exploration, the image was "a gray background with no details".<ref name=Perminov1/>

=== Possible images of lander on Mars ===
On April 11, 2013, NASA announced that the [[Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter|''Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter'' (MRO)]] may have imaged the Mars 3 lander hardware on the surface of Mars.  The [[HiRISE]] camera on the MRO took images of what may be the parachute, retrorockets, [[heat shield]] and [[lander (spacecraft)|lander]].<ref name=NASA-20130411/> This discovery was made by amateur space enthusiasts looking through publicly available archived images.<ref name=mars3-1/><ref name=mars3-2/>
{{wide image |PIA16920-MarsSoviet3Lander1971-PossibleDebrisField.jpg|800px|align-cap=center|Candidate hardware for 1971 Soviet Mars 3 lander.  The predicted landing site was at latitude 45 degrees south, longitude 202 degrees east, in [[Ptolemaeus (Martian crater)|Ptolemaeus Crater]] (images: [[HiRISE]], [[Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter|MRO]] - November 2007/left & 10 March 2013/right).<ref name=NASA-20130411/>}}
{{clear}}

==See also==
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[List of Mars orbiters]]
* [[List of missions to Mars]]
* [[Mars 1M]]
* [[Robotic space mission]]
* [[Space exploration]]
* [[Timeline of artificial satellites and space probes]]
{{div col end}}

==References==
<references>
<ref name="nssdc">{{Cite web
| url= https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1971-049A
| title= Mars 3
| website= nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov
| publisher= [[NASA]]
| access-date= 30 November 2022
| archive-date= May 14, 2019
| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190514144519/https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1971-049A
| url-status= dead
}}</ref>

<ref name="nssdc-2">{{Cite web
| url= https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1971-049F
| title= Mars 3 Lander
| website= nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov
| publisher= [[NASA]]
| access-date= August 21, 2019
| archive-date= April 5, 2019
| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190405111519/https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1971-049F
| url-status= dead
}}</ref>

<ref name="beyond">{{ cite book
| url= https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/beyond-earth-tagged.pdf
| title= Beyond Earth: A Chronicle of Deep Space Exploration, 1958–2016
| author1= Asif Siddiqi
| publisher= NASA History Program Office
| edition= second
| year= 2018
| isbn= 9781626830431 }}
</ref>

<ref name="EA">{{ cite web
| url= http://www.astronautix.com/m/marsm-71.html
| title= Mars M-71
| author1= Mark Wade
| work= Encyclopedia Astronautica
| access-date= 27 May 2024 }}
</ref>

<ref name="Perminov1">{{ cite book
| author1= V. G. Perminov
| title= The Difficult Road to Mars - A Brief History of Mars Exploration in the Soviet Union
| date= July 1999
| publisher= NASA Headquarters History Division
| isbn= 978-1-478-23479-1
| pages= [https://archive.org/details/difficultroadtom00perm/page/34 34–60]
| url= https://archive.org/details/difficultroadtom00perm/page/34 }}
</ref>

<ref name="NASA-20130411">{{cite web
| author1= Guy Webster
| title= NASA Mars Orbiter Images May Show 1971 Soviet Lander
| url= http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/MRO/news/mro2013411.html
| date= 11 April 2013
| website= nasa.gov
| publisher= [[NASA]]
| access-date= 12 April 2013
| archive-date= June 29, 2017
| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170629105015/https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/MRO/news/mro2013411.html
| url-status= dead
}}</ref>

<ref name="mars3-1">{{ cite news
| url= http://www.3news.co.nz/Failed-Soviet-Mars-spacecraft-found/tabid/1160/articleID/294301/Default.aspx
| work= 3 News NZ
| title= Failed Soviet Mars spacecraft found?
| date= 15 April 2013
| access-date= 18 January 2019
| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140201172449/http://www.3news.co.nz/Failed-Soviet-Mars-spacecraft-found/tabid/1160/articleID/294301/Default.aspx
| archive-date= 1 February 2014
| url-status= dead }}
</ref>

<ref name="mars3-2">{{ cite news
| url= http://zelenyikot.com/searches-of-mars3/
| website= zelenyikot.com
| title= Как мы искали Марс-3
| language= ru
| date= 11 April 2013 }}
</ref>
</references>

==External links==
{{commons|Mars probe program}}
* [http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/planets/marspage.html NASA's mars probe website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060928223446/http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/planets/marspage.html |date=September 28, 2006 }}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060805205949/http://klabs.org/richcontent/Reports/mars/difficult_road_to_mars.pdf "The Difficult Road to Mars" By V.G Perminov]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130510052029/http://www.laspace.ru/rus/mars23.php Lavochkin page on Mars-3 (in Russian)]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071005010633/http://www.strykfoto.org/mars3.htm Ted Stryk's page on the Mars 3 Probe]
* [[s:ru:Сообщение ТАСС о посадке автоматической станции Марс-3|TASS notice on the Mars-3 landing (in Russian)]] ([[Wikisource]])
* [http://www.coseti.org/www.fourthplanet.org/lkart_01.htm "The Rocky Soviet Road to Mars" by Larry Klaes - EJASA October, 1989]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-W-4X3zSoI Soviet documentary about mission M71 (1971–1973)(Youtube, English subtitles)]
* [http://mentallandscape.com/C_CatalogMars.htm Catalogue of Soviet Mars Probe images]

{{Mars programme}}
{{Features and artificial objects on Mars}}
{{Orbital launches in 1971}}
{{Mars spacecraft}}
{{portal bar|Spaceflight|Technology}}
[[Category:Space program of the Soviet Union]]
[[Category:1971 in the Soviet Union]]
[[Category:Spacecraft launched in 1971]]
[[Category:Mars program]]
[[Category:Phaethontis quadrangle]]
[[Category:Mars rovers]]
[[Category:4MV]]
[[Category:Non Earth orbiting satellites of the Soviet Union]]
[[Category:Derelict satellites orbiting Mars]]
[[Category:Soft landings on Mars]]
[[Category:1971 on  Mars]]