Zond 2 was launched from a Tyazheliy Sputnik (64-078A) in earth parking orbit towards Mars to test space-borne systems and to carry out scientific investigations. Zond 2 carried six electric rocket engines of plasma type that served as actuators of the attitude control system. The spacecraft flew by Mars on August 6, 1965, at a distance of 1500 km. The communications system had failed during April 1965.