MISSION TO MARS

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32778, 1 December 1971, Page 17

MISSION TO MARS

Scientists speculate

(N.Z Press Assn.—Copyright) MOSCOW, Nov. 30.

One Soviet Union spacecraft is orbiting Mars on a mission seeking possible life, but there has been no word about its sister-ship, due earlier at the planet. “Pravda,” the Communist Party newspaper, reported yesterday that the unmanned Mars. 3 was approaching Mars at the end of its sixmonth journey from the earth, but it said nothing about Mars 2, which blasted off nine days ahead of Mars 3. In Manchester, scientists at the Jodrell Bank observatory reported earlier that one of the two ships had arrived and was orbiting Mars, but they did not know which one it was.

Yesterday’s “Pravda” report caught the interest of Western space experts because the few progress reports already published had always treated this as a joint mission and had mentioned both ships. The Western analysts added that they were hesitant to include in their speculation whether the Mars 2 mission had failed because it was possible that the ship had landed. The Russians often delay reports on space missions until they are confident that all is well. In addition, the United States’ Mariner 9 has been photographing a global dust storm which could have caused a postponement of the Russians* arrival plans.