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The 2MV planetary probe (short for 2nd generation Mars-Venus) is a designation for a common design used by early Soviet unmanned probes to Mars and Venus. It was an incremental improvement of earlier 1MV probes and was used for the Venera 5 and Venera 6 missions to Venus. It was standard practice of the Soviet space program to use standardized components as much as possible. All probes shared the same general characteristics and differed only in equipment necessary for specific missions. Each probe also incorporated improvements based on experience with earlier missions. It was superseded by the 3MV family.
Contents
Design
The probe consisted of three primary parts.
Orbital Compartment
The core of the stack was a pressurized compartment called the Orbital Compartment measuring 2.1 meters with a diameter of 1.1 meters. Also mounted on the Orbital Compartment was a parabolic high-gain antenna, used for long-range communications.
Payloads
Depending on the mission, the probe would carry specific instruments or a detachable landing module.
Engine
Course correction capabilities were provided by a KDU 414 engine attached to the top of the Orbital Compartment.