objectives were to image the Martian surface and clouds, determine the temperature on Mars, study the topography, composition and physical properties of the surface, measure properties of the atmosphere, monitor the solar wind and the interplanetary and Martian magnetic fields, and act as communications relays to send signals from the landers to Earth. Mars 2 Launch date/time: Mars 2: May 19, 1971 at 16:22:44 UTC Launch mass (including fuel): Combined: 4650 kg Orbiter: 3440 kg Lander: 1210 kg On-orbit dry mass: 2265 kg Dimensions: 4.1 meters tall, 2 meters across (5.9 meters across with solar panels deployed) Mars 2 released the descent module 4.5 hours before reaching Mars on November 27, 1971. The descent module entered the Martian atmosphere at roughly 6.0 km/s at a steeper angle than planned. The descent system malfunctioned and the lander crashed at , delivering the Soviet Union coat of arms to the surface. Meanwhile, the orbiter engine performed a burn to put the spacecraft into a 1380 x 24,940 km, 18‑hour orbit about Mars with an inclination of 48.9 degrees. Scientific instruments were generally turned on for about 30 minutes near periapsis. Mars 3 Launch date/time: Mars 3: May 28, 1971 at 15:26:30 UTC Launch mass (including fuel): Combined: 4650 kg Orbiter: 3440 kg Lander: 1210 kg On-orbit dry mass: 2265 kg Dimensions: 4.1 meters tall, 2 meters across (5.9 meters across with solar panels deployed) Mars 3's descent module was released at 09:14 UT on December 2, 1971, 4 hours 35 minutes before reaching Mars. The descent module entered the Martian atmosphere at roughly 5.7 km/s. Through aerodynamic braking, parachutes, and retrorockets, the lander achieved a soft landing at and began operations. However, after 20 seconds the instruments stopped working for unknown reasons, perhaps as a result of the massive surface dust storms raging at the time of landing. Mars 3 lander still managed to transmit a portion of the first picture of Martian surface. Meanwhile, the orbiter had suffered from a partial loss of fuel and did not have enough to put itself into a planned 25-hour orbit. The engine instead performed a truncated burn to put the spacecraft into a long 12-day-19-hour period orbit about Mars with an inclination thought to be similar to that of Mars 2 (48.9 degrees). Both landers had a small Mars 'rover' on board, which would move across the surface on skis while connected to the