Also called:
Mariner Mars 69
Date of launch (range):
Feb. 24, 1969 (ETR)
Launch vehicle:
Atlas-Centaur
Shape:
octagonal with 4 solar panels
Weight (kg):
381
Dimensions (m):
1.37, width; 5.79 with panels
extended
0.46, height; 3.35 with panels
extended
Power source:
solar panels plus AgZn battery
Prime contractor:
in-house
Date of reentry:
N/A Heliocentric orbit
Responsible NASA center:
JPL
Project manager:
H. M. Schurmeier
Project scientist:
J. A. Stallkamp
Objectives:
To conduct flyby missions in order to
make exploratory investigations of Mars. Information sought
regarding Martian topography and atmosphere in the
equatorial region (Mariner 7 twin mission).
Experiments (responsible
organization):
.
television (California Institute of
Technology)
infrared spectrometer (Univ. of
California at Berkeley)
ultraviolet spectrometer (Univ. of
Colorado)
infrared radiometer (CIT)
celestial mechanics (JPL)
S-band occultation (JPL)
Results:
Successful; passed by Mars on July
31, 1969, within 3200 kilometers. Together Mariner 6 and 7
returned a total of 200 television pictures of the planet;
the probes were used in 1970 in an experiment to verify the
theory of relativity.
Reference: MOR S-816-69-01/02, Feb. 18, 1969; and NASA Hq., "Mission Report, Mariners Six and Seven," Oct. 29, 1969.