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Mariner 5 - Mission to Venus

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Mariner 5 - Mission to Venus

Mariner 5 - Mission to Venus

NASA

Mariner 5 Key Dates & Status:

  • 06.14.67: Mariner 5 Launch
  • 10.19.67: Mariner 5 Arrival at Venus
  • Status: Mariner 5 Mission Complete

Mariner 5 - Overview:

Mariner 5 was originally built to be the backup for Mariner 4 to Mars, but was never needed for that purpose.

Thus, Mariner 5 was refurbished and modified to go to Venus instead. Mariner 5 flew by Venus at a distance of 3,990 kilometers (2,480 miles), and with its more sensitive instruments than aboard Mariner 2, revealed new information about Venus' atmosphere, including its composition of 85-99% carbon dioxide. Mariner 5 also studied the interplanetary space in the vicinity of Venus and furthered the art and science of building and operating interplanetary spacecraft.

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