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Astronomy: Mariner spacecraft
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Mariner 10 was launched on 3 November 1973, the seventh succesfull Mariner launch. Mariner 10 reached Venus in February 1973 and flew past Mercury on March 29, 1974. This spacecraft was the first spacecraft to visit 2 planets and returned the first pictures of Venus' and Mercury's surface. Mariner 10 also had a second and a third flyby around Mercury before fuel reserves were exhausted in 1975. The mission delivered more than 2700 useful images that showed 45 percent of Mercury's surface. The details vary from 100 meters to 4 kilometers. Earlier observations of Mercury's surface were confirmed and also a small magnetic field was detected. Related subjects>> Mercury>> Messenger |
 Mariner 4 lifts off on 28 November 1964 |
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