Mars 2MV-3

Spacecraft n°:

USSR spacecraft n°: 46A

Launch data:

Spacecraft data:

Mission details:

• Mars probe intended to make a soft landing on Mars. Although the escape stage and payload reached orbit, the strong third stage vibrations shook a fuse loose from its mount in the main nozzle of the escape stage Block L's engine. The engine could not be ignited and remained in Earth orbit. It decayed about two months after insertion.
• After T+260 sec, a malfunction of the pressurisation system of the central sustainer led to cavitation in the oxidiser pipeline and LOX pump, followd at T+292s by the fuel pump.