Mars 1M (Marsnik-l) and Venus 1VA, 1960-1961

Russia built the first interplanetary spacecraft for launch attempts at Mars in 1960 and Venus in 1961. These two sets of spacecraft were similar, but the 1M pair built for Mars and the 1VA pair built for Venus had differences relating to the different thermal conditions expected and the communication differences involved. Each pair was identical. Only one of these spacecraft, Venera 1, survived the launch vehicle and was dispatched towards its target, but contact was lost 7 days later.