Mars 2

Launch date: 19 May 1971
Nation: USSR
Outcome: failure

After entering the atmosphere at approximately 6 km/s, the descent system on the module malfunctioned, possibly because the angle of entry was too steep. The descent sequence did not operate as planned and the parachute did not deploy. The lander crashed at 4° N, 47° W. Mars 2 was the first manmade object to reach the surface of Mars.