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The louvers on the Mariner 2 mission to Venus in 1962 provided a key aspect of the spacecraft’s temperature control system. Surrounded by a magnesium frame, the eight aluminum slats would automatically open when Mariner’s temperature began to rise, releasing excess heat, and close when the temperature dropped, holding in available warmth. The louvers offered a final fail-safe should the satellite’s thermal control units (various paints and platings to absorb or dispel heat) fail to fully moderate Mariner 2’s temperature. During flight, a number of solar panels malfunctioned, causing Mariner’s temperature to fluctuate. Despite the variety of thermo-control units, temperatures reached 75°F higher than anticipated. However, the scientific experiments studying the planet Venus were not affected.

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory transferred these louvers to the Museum in 1976.

 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
Country of Origin United States of America Type SPACECRAFT-Uncrewed-Parts & Structural Components Manufacturer Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology
 Dimensions 41.91 x 34.29 x 15.24cm (1ft 4 1/2in. x 1ft 1 1/2in. x 6in.) (Approximate)
 Materials Magnesium, paint, gold plating, phenolic resin
 Inventory Number A19761256000 Credit Line Transferred from Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.