Mars 1M Nº 1 (Mars 1960A, Marsnik 1)

Launch data: Designation  60F12 Launch date  10 Oct 1960 - 14:27:49 UT Launch site  B-LC1 Launch vehicle  Molniya 8K78 (n° LI-4M) Satellite type  Mars 1M n°1 Mission  Mars flyby Decay  10 Oct 1960

Spacecraft data:

Mission details:

• This was the first of two Soviet Mars spacecraft intended to fly past Mars. It also was the first attempt by humans to send spacecraft to the vicinity of Mars. Although the spacecraft initially included a TV imaging system and a spectroreflectometer (to detect organic life on Mars), mass constraints forced engineers to remove both instruments a week before launch. The mission profile called for the probe to first enter Earth orbit and then use a new fourth stage (called “Blok L”) to gain enough additional velocity to fly to a Mars encounter.
• The flight was plagued by several vibrations, which started during strap-on booster operation, then continued during core-stage burn. Oscillations caused by interaction with the upper stage at T+301 seconds disconnected the horizon sensor and the rocket began to tilt.
• At T+309 sec the engines were commanded to cut off when the rocket was 7 degrees of the flight path. The second stage then fired for 13.32 sec before stopping.
• The upper stage with the payload reached an altitude of 120 km, before burning up on re-entry into the atmosphere above East Siberia, about 4.800 km downrange.
• The payload eventually burned up in Earth’s atmosphere over eastern Siberia without reaching Earth orbit. The Mars flyby was planned for 13 May 1961.