Also called:
Mariner Venus Mercury 73
Date of launch (range):
Nov. 3, 1973 (ETR)
Launch vehicle:
Atlas-Centaur
Shape:
octagonal with 2 solar panels
Weight (kg):
528
Dimensions (m):
1.39, diameter; 6.8 with panels
extended
0.46, height
Power source:
solar panels plus NiCd battery
Prime contractor:
in-house
Date of reentry:
N/A Heliocentric orbit
Responsible NASA center:
JPL
Project manager:
Walker E. Giberson
Objectives:
On a flyby mission obtain data on the
atmosphere, surface, and physical characteristics of Mercury
and Venus, using the gravity of Venus to assist the
spacecraft on its journey to Mercury.
Experiments (responsible
organization):
.
television (California Institute of
Technology)
plasma science (Massachusetts
Institute of Technology)
ultraviolet spectroscopy (Kitt Peak
Observatory)
infrared radiometer (Santa Barbara
Research Center)
charged particles (Univ. of
Chicago)
radio science (Stanford Univ.)
magnetic fields (GSFC)
Results:
Successful; the spacecraft passed
within 5800 kilometers of Venus on Feb. 5, 1974. Its first
encounter with Mercury took place on March 29, 1974 (704
km); second on Sept. 21, 1974 (48 069 km); and third on
March 16, 1975 (327 km); the spacecraft was shut down on
March 24, 1975, when its attitude control gas supply was
depleted.