Mars 3 Orbiter Spacecraft and Subsystems
![[Mars 2/3]](http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/thumbnail/spacecraft/mars-3.gif)
The attached orbiter/bus and descent module had a mass of
approximately 4650 kg at launch (including fuel) and was 4.1 meters high, 5.9 meters
across the two solar panel wings, and had a base diameter of 2 meters. The propulsion
system was situated at the bottom of the cylindrical spacecraft body and the descent
module was mounted on top. The two solar arrays extended from the sides and a 2.5 meter
diameter parabolic high-gain communications antenna was also mounted on the side. The
instruments and navigation system was located around the bottom of the craft, and the
central part of the main body was composed primarily of the fuel tank. Antennae for
communications with the lander were affixed to the solar panels. Three low power
directional antennae extended from the main body near the parabolic antenna.