Also called:
Mariner Mars 69
Date of launch (range):
Mar. 27, 1969 (ETR)
Launch vehicle:
Atlas-Centaur
Shape:
same as Mariner 6
Weight (kg):
381
Dimensions (m):
same as Mariner 6
Power source:
same as Mariner 6
Prime contractor:
in-house
Date of reentry:
N/A Heliocentric orbit
Responsible NASA center:
JPL
Project manager:
Schurmeier
Project scientist:
Stallkamp
Objectives:
To conduct flyby missions in order to
make exploratory investigations of Mars. Information sought
regarding Martian topography and atmosphere in the southern
hemisphere and polar regions (Mariner 6 twin
mission).
Experiments (responsible
organization):
same as for Mariner 6
Results:
Successful; passed by Mars on Aug. 5,
1969, within 3200 kilometers; together Mariner 6 and 7
returned a total of 200 television pictures of the planet.
The spacecraft 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, 1469; and NASA Hq. Release 69-26A, "Mariner Mars '69 Approach and Near Encounter Sequence of Events," July 19, 1969.