Mars 2 Orbiter Mission Profile
Mars 2 was launched towards Mars from a Tyazheliy Sputnik (71-045C) Earth orbiting platform. Mid-course corrections were made on 17 June and 20 November. Mars 2 released the descent module (71-045D) 4.5 hours before reaching Mars on 27 November 1971. The descent system malfunctioned and the lander crashed at 45 deg S, 302 deg W, delivering the Soviet Union coat of arms to the surface. Meanwhile, the orbiter engine performed a burn to put the spacecraft into a 1380 x 24,940 km, 18 hour orbit about Mars with an inclination of 48.9 degrees. Scientific instruments were generally turned on for about 30 minutes near periapsis. Data was sent back for many months. It was announced that Mars 2 and 3 had completed their missions by 22 August 1972.