Thursday, October 19, 2017

Mariner 5 flies by Venus 1967


Mariner 5, launched June 14, 1967, made its closest approach to Venus on October 19, 1967.  It was meant to be a backup for Mariner 4, but with the success of that mission,  it was modified for a Venus mission. 

Liftoff went without many problems and data sent during its flyby corroborated the Soviet's Venera 4 lander which arrived at Venus the day before, that the Venusian atmosphere was hotter and more denser than previously thought.

NASA discovered earlier Mariner 5 was in a slow roll and soon after its flyby, contact was lost.  The mission was ended November 5 and the defunct spacecraft is in a heliocentric orbit.


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