Mars 2, launched by the Soviet Union, was a pivotal moment in the exploration of the solar system, marking the first attempt to land a spacecraft on Mars. The launch occurred from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, which was the launch site for many significant Soviet spacecraft. Mars 2 was part of the Soviet Mars program, aimed at exploring the Martian environment, including its atmosphere and surface conditions. The spacecraft included several scientific instruments intended to collect data and send back information to Earth.

The mission was dual-faceted; not only did it serve as a probe designed to analyze the Martian atmosphere, but it also included an impactor that was supposed to land on the planet. On its journey, Mars 2 traveled approximately 200 million kilometers and finally reached Mars orbit in late 1971. Although the lander component of Mars 2 ultimately failed to transmit data due to a loss of contact, the mission significantly contributed to the understanding of Mars and laid the groundwork for future expeditions.

Mars 2 and its sibling missions were crucial for enhancing human knowledge about planetary science, particularly understanding the Martian climate, gravity, and surface properties. The data gathered from the orbiters—though limited due to technical difficulties—were instrumental for subsequent missions, and the experience gained from the Mars program prompted advancements in spacecraft engineering and mission planning.