Visitors Now:
Total Visits:
Total Stories:

By Universe Today (Reporter)
Contributor profile | More stories

Story Views
Now:
Last Hour:
Last 24 Hours:
Total:

Soviet Lander Remains Spotted by Mars Orbiter

Thursday, April 11, 2013 11:24

% of readers think this story is Fact. Add your two cents.

(Before It's News)

The bright spot in the center of this HiRISE image may be the 11-meter-wide parachute from Mars 3′s descent stage (NASA/JPL-Caltech/Univ. of Arizona)

On May 28, 1971, the Soviet Union launched the Mars 3 mission which, like its previously-launched and ill-fated sibling Mars 2, consisted of an orbiter and lander destined for the Red Planet. Just over six months later on December 2, 1971, the spacecraft arrived at Mars. The lander’s descent module separated from the orbiter, and, several hours later, entered the Martian atmosphere, descending to the surface via a series of parachutes and retrorockets. (Sound familiar?) Once safely on the surface, the Mars 3 lander opened its four petal-shaped covers to release the 4.5-kg. PROP-M rover contained inside… and after 20 seconds of transmission, fell silent. Due to unknown causes, the Mars 3 lander was never heard from or seen again.

Until now.

(…)
Read the rest of Soviet Lander Remains Spotted by Mars Orbiter (471 words)

© Jason Major for Universe Today, 2013. |
Permalink |
No comment |

Post tags: Citizen Science, HiRISE, JPL, Mars, Mars 3, MRO, NASA, parachute, Russia, Soviet