Editing Mars 1 (section)

== Spacecraft design ==

Mars 1 was a modified [[Venera]]-type spacecraft in the shape of a cylinder {{convert|3.3|m|ft|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|1|m|ft|abbr=on}} in diameter.<ref name='Sputnik 23'/><ref name='Mihos 2006'/> The spacecraft measured {{convert|4|m|ft|abbr=on}} across with the [[Photovoltaic module|solar panel]]s and radiators deployed. The cylinder was divided into two compartments. The upper {{convert|2.7|m|ft|abbr=on}}, the orbital module, contained guidance and on-board propulsion systems. The experiment module, containing the scientific instrumentation, comprised the bottom {{convert|0.6|m|ft|abbr=on}} of the cylinder. A {{convert|1.7|m|ft|abbr=on}} parabolic high gain antenna was used for communication, along with an omnidirectional antenna and a semi-directional antenna. Power was supplied by two solar panel wings with a total area of {{convert|2.6|sqm|sqft|abbr=on}} affixed to opposite sides of the spacecraft. Power was stored in a 42 ampere-hour cadmium-nickel battery.<ref name='Mihos 2006'/>
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| image1 = [http://www.russianspaceweb.com/images/spcrft_plnt_mars_mrs-1_200.jpg The 8K78 launcher, carrying the Mars-1 probe, blasts off from Baikonur. Credit: RKK Energia] <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.russianspaceweb.com/images/spcrft_plnt_mars_mrs-1_200.jpg|title=Photo, Launch of Mars-1 from Baikonur|access-date=January 28, 2023|website=russianspaceweb.com}}</ref>
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Mars 1 was equipped with three primary radio systems operating at wavelengths of 1.6 meters, 32 centimeters, and in the centimeter range (5 and 8 centimeters).<ref name="grahn-radiosystems">{{cite web |last1=Grahn |first1=Sven |title=Radio systems of Soviet Mars and Venus probes |url=http://www.svengrahn.pp.se/radioind/MVradio/MVradio.htm |access-date=14 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616215147/http://www.svengrahn.pp.se/radioind/MVradio/MVradio.htm |archive-date=16 June 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> The 32-centimeter wavelength transmitter, situated in the orbital module,<ref name="nssdca-mars1">{{cite web |title=Mars 1 |url=https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1962-061A |website=NSSDCA Master Catalog |publisher=[[NASA]] |access-date=14 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109215750/https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1962-061A |archive-date=9 November 2023 |url-status=live |id=1962-061A }}</ref> utilized a [[Directional antenna|high-gain antenna]], primarily transmitting on 922.76 MHz. It was supplemented by the 1.6-meter wavelength transmitter, linked with [[Omnidirectional antenna|omnidirectional antennae]] on the solar panels, which operated on 183.6 MHz for [[Telecommunications_link#Downlink|downlink]] and likely near 102 MHz for [[Telecommunications_link#Uplink|uplink]], serving both for telemetry and as a backup communication system in case of orientation system failure.<ref name="grahn-radiosystems" />

For detailed observations, the 8-centimeter wavelength transmitter in the experiment module was dedicated to transmitting television images, utilizing a signal coherent with the main 922.76 MHz link but at a higher frequency of 3691.04 MHz.<ref name="grahn-radiosystems" /> Additionally, an impulse transmitter operating in the 5-centimeter band (around 5840-5890 MHz range) was also housed in the experiment module.<ref name="nssdca-mars1" /> This system, characterized by impulse modulation, was designed to transmit image data at approximately 90 pixels/sec using pulse-position modulation, with an average power consumption of 50 watts and peak power of 25 kilowatts per pulse.<ref name="grahn-radiosystems" />

The Mars 1 station was initially programmed for automatic data transmission every two days, later adjusted to every five days post December 13. Ground commands could also trigger transmissions from the station as required.<ref name="nssdca-mars1" /> 

Temperature control was achieved using a binary gas–liquid system and hemispherical radiators mounted on the ends of the solar panels. The craft carried various scientific instruments including a [[magnetometer]] probe, television photographic equipment, a spectroreflexometer, radiation sensors (gas-discharge and scintillation counters), a spectrograph to study ozone absorption bands, and a micrometeoroid instrument.<ref name='Sputnik 23'/><ref name='Mihos 2006'/>