klaes@mtwain.dec.com (CUP/ML, MLO5-2/G1 8A, 223-3283) (11/30/88)
In regards to an earlier posting about MARS 3 being the first
human-made vehicle to land on the planet Mars, this is incorrect. Its
companion probe, MARS 2, was actually first (1971), though it unfor-
tunately crashed on the planet's surface without returning any useful
data. MARS 3 did land successfully, but it broadcast signals for
only ninety seconds before mysteriously going silent (a planetary
sandstorm occuring at that time is usually blamed for the probe's
demise). MARS 3 did return one partial picture of the surface, but
it was of such poor quality that no details could be seen (I have
never seen this picture, though I would like to out of sheer curi-
ousity; does anyone know where I might be able to see it? Thanks.).
Also, MARS 2 and 3 were not "spike" probes, as the earlier
posting stated, but were based on the LUNA 9 and 13 lander designs,
basically a sphere balanced upright by four metal "petals" which
shielded the instruments during landing, then opened outward to keep
the probe upright on the surface.
Larry Klaesjim@nih-csl.UUCP (jim sullivan) (12/01/88)
In article <8811291638.AA00713@decwrl.dec.com> klaes@mtwain.dec.com (CUP/ML, MLO5-2/G1 8A, 223-3283) writes: > > In regards to an earlier posting about MARS 3 being the first > human-made vehicle to land on the planet Mars, this is incorrect. Its ^^^^ > companion probe, MARS 2, was actually first (1971), though it unfor- > tunately crashed on the planet's surface without returning any useful ^^^^^^^ > data. MARS 3 did land successfully, but it broadcast signals for ^^^^ Just had to point out the silliness of this posting... ;-) jim