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Three flybys
- The final mission in the series, Mariner 10, flew past Venus before going on to Mercury for a total of three flybys.
science.nasa.gov/mission/mariner-program/
During its flyby of Venus, Mariner 10 discovered evidence of rotating clouds and a very weak magnetic field. Using a near-ultraviolet filter, it photographed Venus's chevron clouds and performed other atmospheric studies. The spacecraft flew past Mercury three times.
On Feb. 5, 1974, the spacecraft began returning images of Venus, the first picture showing the day-night terminator of the planet as a thin bright line. Overall, Mariner 10 returned 4,165 photos of Venus and collected important scientific data during its encounter. The closest flyby range was 3,584 miles (5,768 kilometers) at 17:01 UT Feb. 5, 1974.
- United States of America (USA)
- Mariner-73J / Mariner-J
- Mercury Flyby, Venus Flyby
- 1,100 pounds (502.9 kilograms)
The final mission in the series, Mariner 10, flew past Venus before going on to Mercury for a total of three flybys. Mariner 9 became the first spacecraft to orbit another planet when it reached Mars in 1971.
Nov 3, 1973 · Mariner 10. The first mission to employ gravity assist, or using the gravity of a planet to alter a spacecraft's speed and trajectory to fly by its target planet, the Mariner 10 mission flew by both Venus and Mercury, snapping photos and collecting data.
Feb 5, 2019 · Mariner 10 contributed significantly to our understanding of Venus during its fly-by. It confirmed that Venus lacks an appreciable magnetic field to deflect the solar wind, but its considerable atmosphere and ionosphere act to modify the stream of particles emanating from the Sun.
Nov 5, 2018 · Shortly after midnight on November 3, 1973, the 500-kg Mariner 10 lifted off aboard its Atlas-Centaur rocket from Launch Pad 36B at Cape Canaveral, Florida. After a short time in a parking orbit around the Earth, the Centaur stage reignited, sending Mariner 10 toward Venus.
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Apr 1, 2024 · On Feb. 5, Mariner 10 swept 3,584 miles (5,768 km) over Venus’ cloud-cloaked façade, acquiring 4,165 photographs and gathering data on atmospheric structures and near-surface temperatures.