If you google, “Mars Curse” you’ll find that around two-thirds of the space missions to Mars have failed.
The Russian space agency Roscosmos marked Halloween by publishing a photo essay of preparation work on Phobos-Grunt, the Mars probe set to launch from Baikonur on Wednesday. Although the timing was likely coincidental, the symbolism was rich. Mars has been a house of horrors for the Russian and Soviet space programs for the past 50 years. Not one of 18 Soviet and Russian missions sent to the Red Planet has been fully successful. Probes have been lost in launch accidents, blown up in Earth orbit, failed en route, and mysteriously fallen silent just as they were about to fulfill their missions. By contrast, NASA has flown 13 wholly successful missions to Mars in 18 attempts, going five for six on landing. Not one of 18 Soviet and Russian missions sent to the Red Planet has been fully successful. Phobos-Grunt (“Soil”), the first Russian mission to Mars in 15 years, is designed to end the curse. It is one of the largest and most ambitious planetary missions ever launched, with the primary goal of returning nearly a half pound of soil and rock from Phobos. When the Zenit-2 booster lifts on Wednesday, it will carry hopes for not only answering fundamental questions about Mars but for the revival of a long-dormant space exploration program.