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On December 14, 1962, useful scientific information was radioed to Earth from the vicinity of another planet for the first time. The unmanned Mariner 2 spacecraft, with its six scientific instruments, passed within 34,800 kilometers (21,600 miles) of Venus. Mariner 2 indicated that Venus is very hot and has no measurable magnetic fields or radiation belts. On the way to Venus, Mariner 2's instruments detected and measured the radiation, magnetic fields, and dust of interplanetary space.

Contact with Mariner 2 was lost on January 2, 1963; it is now in orbit around the Sun. The spacecraft on display was constructed from test components by engineers from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Display Status

This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.

Object Details
Key Accomplishment(s) World’s First Successful Interplanetary Spacecraft Brief Description Mariner 2 flew by Venus in 1962, discovering its surface is extremely hot and unlikely to support life. The spacecraft on display is an engineering model. Date July 1, 1976 to present Country of Origin United States of America Type SPACECRAFT-Uncrewed-Test Vehicles Manufacturer NASA - Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Dimensions Overall: 8 ft. 1 in. tall x 5 ft. 10 in. wide x 5 ft. 10 in. deep, 1118 lb. (246.4 x 177.8 x 177.8cm, 507.1kg)
Materials Aluminum, mixed metals
Alternate Name Mariner 2 Inventory Number A19760027000 Credit Line Transferred from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Open Access (CCO)
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