Mars 1

Mars 1 was a modified Venera-type spacecraft in the shape of a cylinder {{convert|3.3|m|ft|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|1|m|ft|abbr=on}} in diameter. The spacecraft measured {{convert|4|m|ft|abbr=on}} across with the solar panels and radiators deployed. The cylinder was divided into two compartments. The upper {{convert|2.7|m|ft|abbr=on}}, the orbital module, contained guidance and on-board propulsion systems. The experiment module, containing the scientific instrumentation, comprised the bottom {{convert|0.6|m|ft|abbr=on}} of the cylinder. A {{convert|1.7|m|ft|abbr=on}} parabolic high gain antenna was used for communication, along with an omnidirectional antenna and a semi-directional antenna. Power was supplied by two solar panel wings with a total area of {{convert|2.6|sqm|sqft|abbr=on}} affixed to opposite sides of the spacecraft. Power was stored in a 42 ampere-hour cadmium-nickel battery.

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| image1 = [http://www.russianspaceweb.com/images/spcrft_plnt_mars_mrs-1_200.jpg The 8K78 launcher, carrying the Mars-1 probe, blasts off from Baikonur. Credit: RKK Energia] {{cite web|url=https://www.russianspaceweb.com/images/spcrft_plnt_mars_mrs-1_200.jpg|title=Photo, Launch of Mars-1 from Baikonur|access-date=January 28, 2023|website=russianspaceweb.com}}

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Mars 1 was equipped with three primary radio systems operating at wavelengths of 1.6 meters, 32 centimeters, and in the centimeter range (5 and 8 centimeters).{{cite web |last1=Grahn |first1=Sven |title=Radio systems of Soviet Mars and Venus probes |url=http://www.svengrahn.pp.se/radioind/MVradio/MVradio.htm |access-date=14 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616215147/http://www.svengrahn.pp.se/radioind/MVradio/MVradio.htm |archive-date=16 June 2022 |url-status=live}} The 32-centimeter wavelength transmitter, situated in the orbital module,{{cite web |title=Mars 1 |url=https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1962-061A |website=NSSDCA Master Catalog |publisher=NASA |access-date=14 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109215750/https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1962-061A |archive-date=9 November 2023 |url-status=live |id=1962-061A }} utilized a high-gain antenna, primarily transmitting on 922.76 MHz. It was supplemented by the 1.6-meter wavelength transmitter, linked with omnidirectional antennae on the solar panels, which operated on 183.6 MHz for downlink and likely near 102 MHz for uplink, serving both for telemetry and as a backup communication system in case of orientation system failure.

For detailed observations, the 8-centimeter wavelength transmitter in the experiment module was dedicated to transmitting television images, utilizing a signal coherent with the main 922.76 MHz link but at a higher frequency of 3691.04 MHz. Additionally, an impulse transmitter operating in the 5-centimeter band (around 5840-5890 MHz range) was also housed in the experiment module. This system, characterized by impulse modulation, was designed to transmit image data at approximately 90 pixels/sec using pulse-position modulation, with an average power consumption of 50 watts and peak power of 25 kilowatts per pulse.

The Mars 1 station was initially programmed for automatic data transmission every two days, later adjusted to every five days post December 13. Ground commands could also trigger transmissions from the station as required.

Temperature control was achieved using a binary gas–liquid system and hemispherical radiators mounted on the ends of the solar panels. The craft carried various scientific instruments including a magnetometer probe, television photographic equipment, a spectroreflexometer, radiation sensors (gas-discharge and scintillation counters), a spectrograph to study ozone absorption bands, and a micrometeoroid instrument.

• The probe recorded one micrometeorite strike every two minutes at altitudes ranging from {{convert|6000|to|40000|km|mi|abbr=on}} from Earth's surface due to the Taurids meteor shower, and also recorded similar densities at distances from {{convert|20|to|40|e6km|mi}} from Earth.
• Magnetic field intensities of 3–4 nanoteslas (nT, also known as gammas) with peaks as high as 6–9 nT were measured in interplanetary space.
• The solar wind was detected.
• The radiation zones around Earth were detected,{{cite web |url=http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/mars-2mv-4.htm |title=Mars 1 (2MV-4 #1, 2) |access-date=October 22, 2015 }}{{cite book|author1=Brian Harvey|author2=Olga Zakutnyaya|title=Russian Space Probes: Scientific Discoveries and Future Missions|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=q6qyVkapjeoC&pg=PA266|year=2011|publisher=Springer Science & Business Media|isbn=978-1-4419-8150-9|page=266}} and their magnitude confirmed.

This spacecraft is also referenced as Sputnik 23 and Mars 2MV-4. It was originally designated Sputnik 30 in the U.S. Naval Space Command Satellite Situation Summary.

Although it was called Mars 1, there were at least three other probes prior to this, that were failures: Mars 2MV-4 No.1, Mars 1M No.2, and Mars 1M No.1

{{Portal|Spaceflight|Solar System}}

• Exploration of Mars
• List of missions to Mars
• Marsnik program
• Space exploration
• Unmanned space missions

{{reflist}}

• [http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/mars-2mv-4.htm Mars 1 (2MV-4 #1, 2)]

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20131013211415/http://burro.astr.cwru.edu/stu/advanced/20th_soviet_mars.html The Soviet Mars program], Professor Chris Mihos, Case Western Reserve University
• [https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1962-061A], National Space Science, Data Center

{{Mars programme}}

{{Orbital launches in 1962}}

{{Mars spacecraft}}

Category:Mars program

Category:Derelict space probes

Category:Derelict satellites in heliocentric orbit

Category:Spacecraft launched in 1962

Category:1962 in the Soviet Union

Category:2MV