Date
.
June 1968
The Space Science Board recommended
that NASA conduct a Mariner flyby mission of the planets
Venus and Mercury.
Dec. 30, 1969
NASA Headquarters assigned the
Mariner Venus-Mercury project to JPL.
May 1969
Congress reduced the funds available
for the Venus-Mercury mission.
July 28, 1970
NASA selected seven experiments for
the Mariner Venus-Mercury spacecraft.
April 29, 1971
NASA announced that Boeing Company
would be the prime contractor for the Mariner Venus-Mercury
spacecraft.
Nov. 3, 1973
NASA launched Mariner 10
successfully.
Feb. 5, 1974
Mariner 10 encountered Venus, coming
within 5800 kilometers.
Mar. 29, 1974
Mariner 10 encountered Mercury for
the first time, coming within 704 kilometers.
Sept. 21, 1974
Mariner 10 encountered Mercury for
the second time, coming within 48 069 kilometers.
Mar. 16, 1975
Mariner 10 encountered Mercury for
the last time, coming within 327 kilometers.
Mar. 24, 1975
NASA terminated the mission when the
attitude control fuel supply was depleted.