Mars 1, launched by the USSR in 1962, was the first probe on a successful trajectory to Mars. It held 61 communication sessions, gathering interplanetary space data. On March 21, 1963, contact was lost at 106 million km due to a faulty valve in the attitude control system , which prevented the antenna from pointing to Earth.

Flyby 1 NOV 1962

Failed · launch failure

OKB-1

Mars 2MV-4 No.1 (Sputnik 22)

The Soviet Mars 2MV-4 No. 1 probe (Sputnik 22) failed on October 24, 1962, when its Blok L upper stage exploded in LEO due to a seized staged-combustion turbopump. Its debris triggered a false ICBM attack alarm in Alaska, averted via vector tracking during the height of the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Flyby 24 OCT 1962

Failed · launch failure

OKB-1

Mars 1M No.2 (Korabl 5)

The Soviet probe Korabl 5 (1M No. 2) was destroyed on October 14, 1960, during its launch to Mars after a catastrophic third-stage (Block I) failure at T+290 seconds. A liquid oxygen leak froze the kerosene in the turbopump, preventing ignition and forcing a suborbital re-entry over Siberia.

Flyby 14 OCT 1960

Failed · launch failure

OKB-1

Korabl 4 (Mars 1M No. 1)

Korabl 4, launched by the Soviet Union in October 1960, was the first probe designed to perform a flyby of Mars. The mission failed during its ascent phase due to vibration and resonance issues in the upper stages of the launch vehicle, preventing it from reaching Earth orbit.

Flyby 10 OCT 1960

Chronology of Mars exploration

Mars 1

Mars 2MV-4 No.1 (Sputnik 22)

Mars 1M No.2 (Korabl 5)

Korabl 4 (Mars 1M No. 1)

Initiate Telemetry