Mariner

60 Years Ago: Mariner 2 Launches to Explore Venus

60 Years Ago: Mariner 1 Launch Attempt to Venus

A look back at the Mariner 9 mission with a team member who was there fifty years ago as it became the first spacecraft to orbit another planet. (WeMartians Podcast)

The Return to Venus: The Mission of NASA's Mariner 5

In 1971-72, Mariner 9 photographed ~80% of Mars’ surface from orbit, revealing ancient river beds, craters, extinct volcanoes, canyons, layered polar deposits, wind-driven sediments, weather fronts, ice clouds, dust storms & fogs. It renewed hope of past life on Mars. It’s still orbiting Mars today.

In 1965, 4 years before the Moon landing, the Mariner 4 Mars flyby crushed fantasies but began Mars exploration. Many hoped for pictures of life on Mars. Mariner 4 revealed a desert covered with craters much like the Moon. The photos captured a curious world’s attention, and showed we are alone.