Mariner program facts for kids
The Mariner program was a special series of spacecraft launched by NASA, the American space agency, between 1963 and 1973. These amazing spacecraft were sent to explore our neighboring planets: Mars, Venus, and Mercury.
There were 10 spacecraft in the Mariner program, named Mariner 1 through Mariner 10. Seven of these missions were very successful, but three unfortunately did not make it.
The Mariner program achieved many "firsts" in space exploration. It was the first time a spacecraft flew past another planet (a "fly-by"). Mariner spacecraft also sent back the very first pictures from another planet. They were also the first to orbit a planet, acting like a satellite circling around it. Another big achievement was the first use of a gravity assist maneuver. This is like using a planet's gravity to speed up or change the direction of a spacecraft, saving fuel.
Some other spacecraft were planned to be part of the Mariner program, but their names were changed. For example, Mariner 11 and Mariner 12 later became the famous Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 spacecraft.
Images for kids
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This 1963 photo shows Dr. William H. Pickering, (center) JPL Director, presenting a Mariner 2 spacecraft model to President John F. Kennedy, (right). NASA Administrator James Webb is standing directly behind the Mariner model
See also
In Spanish: Programa Mariner para niños
