Zond 2

Zond 2
The Soviet Zond 2.
Names Zond 3MV-4 No. 2
Mission type Mars flyby
Operator OKB-1
COSPAR ID 1964-078C
SATCAT no. 00945
Spacecraft properties
Bus 3MV-4
Launch mass 890 kg (1,960 lb)
Start of mission
Launch date 30 November 1964, 13:12 UTC
Rocket Molniya T103-16
Launch site Baikonur LC-1/5
Orbital parameters
Reference system Heliocentric
Eccentricity 0.216
Perihelion 0.98 AU
Aphelion 1.52 AU
Inclination 6.4°
Period 508 days
Velocity 5.62 km/s
Flyby of Mars
Closest approach 6 August 1965
Distance 1,500 km (930 mi)

Zond 2 was a Soviet space probe, a member of the Zond program, and was the fifth Soviet spacecraft to attempt a flyby of Mars. (See Exploration of Mars)[1]

History

Zond-2 carried a phototelevision camera of the same type later used to photograph the Moon on Zond 3. The camera system also included two ultraviolet spectrometers. As on Mars 1, an infrared spectrometer was installed to search for signs of methane on Mars.

Zond 2 also carried six PPTs that served as actuators of the attitude control system. They were the first PPTs used on a spacecraft. The PPT propulsion system was tested during 70 minutes.

Zond 2, a Mars 3MV-4A craft, was launched on November 30, 1964. During some maneuvering in early May 1965, communications were lost. Running on half power due to the loss of one of its solar panels, the spacecraft flew by Mars on August 6, 1965 at 5.62 km/s, 1,500 km away from the planet.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Zond-2: An early attempt to touch Mars
Preceded by
Zond 1		 Zond program (interplanetary) Succeeded by
Zond 3


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