Abstract This report contains a retrospective review of results of the Moon, Venus and Mars research programs carried out by Soviet spacecraft during the past 30 years. It briefly outlines some technical characteristics of “Luna” “Mars” and “Venera” spacecraft that provided solution of scientific problems of high priority in space research. Structural continuity in developing different types of spacecraft made it possible to reduce expenditures for the program of planetary studies. Mars research is a challenging direction in planetary studies. Some technological problems in developing spacecraft for the integrated Mars research program incorporating injection of a planet's satellite, landing on its surface and Martian samples return to the Earth are considered here.