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Mars 3 Lander Spacecraft and Subystems

    The Mars 3 descent module was mounted on the bus/orbiter opposite the propulsion system. It consisted of a spherical 1.2 m diameter landing capsule, a 2.9 m diameter aerodynamic braking shield, a parachute system and retro-rockets. The entire descent module had a fueled mass of 1210 kg, the landing capsule accounted for 350 kg of this. The landing capsule had four triangular petals which would open after landing, righting the spacecraft and exposing the instrumentation. The lander was equipped with two television cameras with a 360 degree view of the surface as well as a mass spectrometer to study atmospheric composition; temperature, pressure, and wind sensors; and devices to measure mechanical and chemical properties of the surface. Four aerials protruded from the top of the sphere to provide communications with the orbiter. A radar altimeter was also mounted on the descent module. The equipment was powered by batteries which were charged by the orbiter prior to separation. The landing capsule was sterilized before launch to prevent contamination of the martian environment.