Mariner 10

Mariner 10 spacecraft explored the Planet Mercury. It was explored in three flybys by the Mariner 10 spacecraft in 1974 and 1975.

mariner 10 spaceraft

Mariner 10 became the first and only spacecraft to reach Mercury in the twentieth century. The remotely controlled spacecraft flew to within 460 miles (740 kilometres) of Mercury on March 29, 1974. It swept past the planet again on September 24, 1974, and on March 16, 1975. During those flights, the spacecraft photographed portions of the surface of Mercury. It also detected Mercury's magnetic field.

Mariner 10 became the first spacecraft to study two planets. The probe photographed and made scientific measurements of Venus while travelling to Mercury. As the probe flew near Venus, the planet's gravity pulled on the spacecraft, causing it to move faster. Thus, Mariner 10 reached Mercury in less time and by using less fuel than if it had flown directly from the Earth.

Did you know?

There were 10 Mariner missions from 1962 to 1973 which explored Mars, Venus and Mercury.

In the future, more Mercury Spacecraft will explore Planet Mercury. NASA is planning to explore Mercury with the MESSENGER Spacecraft.

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