Editing Mars 1 (section)

{{Short description|Soviet space probe launched in 1962}}
{{distinguish|Mars One|Mars I}}
{{other uses}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Infobox spaceflight
| name                  = Mars 1
| image                 = Mars 1 NASA.jpg
| image_size            = 300px
| image_caption         =

| mission_type          = [[Mars]] flyby<ref>{{cite web|url=https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/mars-2mv-4.htm|title=Mars 1 (2MV-4 #1,2)|work=Gunter's Space Page|first=Gunter|last=Krebs|access-date=24 May 2024}}</ref>
| operator              = [[Soviet Union]]
| COSPAR_ID             = 1962-061C
| SATCAT                = 450
| mission_duration      = 4 months 21 days

| spacecraft            = [[2MV]]-4 No.2
| manufacturer          = [[OKB-1]]
| dry_mass              = 
| launch_mass           = 893.5 kg<ref name="NSSDC">{{cite web|url=https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1962-061A|title=Mars 1|publisher=US National Space Science Data Centre|access-date=24 May 2024}}</ref>
| landing_mass          = 
| power                 =

| launch_date           = {{start-date|1 November 1962, 16:14|timezone=yes}}&nbsp;UTC
| launch_rocket         = [[Molniya (rocket)|Molniya]] 8K78  
| launch_site           = [[Baikonur Cosmodrome|Baikonur]] [[Gagarin's Start|1/5]]
| launch_contractor     = 
| disposal_type         = Spacecraft loss
| last_contact          = 21 March 1963

| orbit_epoch           = 
| orbit_reference       = [[Heliocentric orbit|Heliocentric]]
| orbit_periapsis       = 
| orbit_apoapsis        = 
| orbit_inclination     = 
| orbit_period          =  
| apsis                 = helion

|interplanetary         = 
 {{Infobox spaceflight/IP
   |type                = flyby
   |object              = [[Mars]]
   |component           = 
   |arrival_date        = 19 June 1963
   |distance            = {{convert|193000|km}}
 }}

| insignia              = The Soviet Union 1964 CPA 3013 stamp (Space Exploration. Mars 1 spacecraft).jpg
| insignia_caption      = Mars 1 stamp
| programme             = '''[[Mars program]]'''
| previous_mission      = [[Mars 2MV-4 No.1|Sputnik 22]]
| next_mission          = [[Mars 2MV-3 No.1|Sputnik 24]]
}}

'''Mars 1''', also known as '''1962 Beta Nu 1''', '''Mars 2MV-4''' and '''Sputnik 23''', was an automatic interplanetary station launched in the direction of [[Mars]] on November 1, 1962,<ref name='Sputnik 23'>{{cite web | url = http://jtgnew.sjrdesign.net/exploration_space_planetary_mars.html | title = "Journey Through the Galaxy" Mars Program: Mars ~ 1960-1974 | access-date = January 26, 2014 | last = Robbins | first = Stuart | date = 2008 | publisher = SJR Design}}</ref><ref name='Mihos 2006'>{{cite web|url=http://burro.astr.cwru.edu/stu/advanced/20th_soviet_mars.html |title=Mars (1960-1974): Mars 1 |access-date=January 26, 2014 |last=Mihos |first=Chris |date=January 11, 2006 |work=Department of Astronomy, Case Western Reserve University. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131013211415/http://burro.astr.cwru.edu/stu/advanced/20th_soviet_mars.html |archive-date=October 13, 2013 }}</ref> the first of the [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] [[Mars probe program]], with the intent of flying by the planet at a distance of about {{convert|11000|km|mi|abbr=on}}. It was designed to image the surface and send back data on cosmic radiation, [[micrometeoroid]] impacts and Mars' magnetic field, radiation environment, atmospheric structure, and possible organic compounds.<ref name='Sputnik 23'/><ref name='Mihos 2006'/>

After leaving [[Geocentric orbit|Earth orbit]], the spacecraft and the [[Molniya (rocket)|Molniya]] booster's fourth stage separated and the solar panels were deployed. Early [[telemetry]] indicated that there was a leak in one of the gas valves in the orientation system so the spacecraft was transferred to [[gyroscopic]] stabilization. It made sixty-one radio transmissions, initially at two-day intervals and later at five days, containing a large amount of interplanetary data.<ref name="Sputnik 23" /> 

On March 21, 1963, when the spacecraft was at a distance of {{convert|106760000|km|mi|abbr=on}} from Earth on its way to Mars, communications ceased, probably due to failure of the spacecraft's antenna orientation system.<ref name="Sputnik 23" /><ref name="Mihos 2006" /> Mars 1's closest approach to Mars probably occurred on June 19, 1963 at a distance of approximately {{convert|193000|km|mi|abbr=on}}, after which the spacecraft entered an [[heliocentric orbit|orbit around the Sun]].<ref name="Mihos 2006" />