NEXT SPACEFLIGHT

Status

Success

Zond 2

Launch Time
Mon Nov 30, 1964 13:12 UTC

Rocket

Molniya
RVSN USSR
Status: Retired
Liftoff Thrust: 4,378 kN
Payload to LEO: 6,000 kg
Payload to GTO: 2,200 kg
Stages: 4
Strap-ons: 4
Rocket Height: 44.23 m
Fairing Diameter: 2.58 m
Fairing Height: 6.74 m

Mission Details

Zond 2

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. The spacecraft intended to survey Mars from its flight path but lost its communication before reaching Mars. It was sixth attempt of Soviet Union in direction towards Mars.
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.

Payloads: 1
Total Mass: 890.0 kg

Location

Site 1/5, Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan

Stats

1964

90th orbital launch attempt

Molniya

22nd mission
8th mission of 1964
7th successful mission
2nd consecutive successful mission