National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC
Past Exhibition
Mariner 10 was the seventh successful launch in the Mariner series and the first spacecraft to use the gravitational pull of one planet (Venus) to reach another (Mercury). It was also the first probe to visit two planets. Launched on November 3, 1973, it reached Venus on February 5, 1974. Using a gravity assist from this planet, Mariner 10 first crossed the orbit of Mercury on March 29, 1974 and did so a second time on September 21, 1974. A third and last Mercury encounter took place on March 16, 1975. It measured the environments of both Venus and Mercury. It then undertook experiments in the interplanetary medium. Mariner 10 showed that Venus had at best a weak magnetic field, and the ionosphere interacted with the solar wind to form a bow shock. At Mercury, it confirmed that Mercury had no atmosphere and a cratered, dormant Moon-like surface.
This flight spare was transferred from NASA, Jet Propulsion Laboratory to the Museum in 1982.
Display Status
This object is on display in Kenneth C. Griffin Exploring the Planets Gallery at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC.
Video
Object Details
Key Accomplishment(s)
First Spacecraft to Use Gravity Assist
Brief Description
Mariner 10 was the first spacecraft to use the gravitational pull of one planet to reach another and the first probe to visit two planets. Launched November 3, 1973, it reached Venus on February 5, 1974. Using gravity assist, it went on to fly by Mercury.
Country of Origin
United States of America
Type
SPACECRAFT-Uncrewed-Communications
Manufacturer
Boeing Aerospace Company
Dimensions
Overall: 6 ft. tall x 6 ft. wide x 6 ft. deep (182.88 x 182.88 x 182.88cm)
Other (magnetometer boom): 20 ft. long (609.6cm)
Materials
Aluminum, mixed metals
Alternate Name
Mariner 10
Inventory Number
A19830006000
Credit Line
Transferred from NASA, Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Open Access (CCO)
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.
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