Monday, July 25, 2016

Mars 5, Soviet probe, launched in 1973


The Mars 5 spacecraft was launched by the Soviet Union, July 25, 1973.  It was launched just 4 days after its twin, Mars 4.  However, unlike Mars 4, Mars 5 was considered a success.  Mars 4 was supposed to Mars but its retro-rockets failed to fire so it could settle into orbit.  It took pictures and made some measurements on its flyby.

Mars 5 performed almost perfectly.  It reached Mars on February 12, 1974 and obtained an elliptical orbit.  It made 22 revolutions of the planet before the transmitter housing depressurized and ended the mission.

Here are some of the 60 images that successfully transmitted.



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