JPL
Careers
Education
Science & Technology
JPL Logo
JPL Logo
Image

Slice of History - 50 Years of Mariner 9 in Orbit

Nov. 3, 2021
Views of Mars from Mariner 9

13 November marks the 50th anniversary of Mariner 9 becoming the first spacecraft to orbit another planet in 1971 – Mars! One of a series of ten Mariner spacecrafts, this unmanned orbiter was tasked with studying the Martian surface and atmosphere. Beating the Soviet craft Mars 2 to the Red Planet, Mariner 9 ultimately mapped over 85% of the Martian surface, which was a mission inherited from its failed twin, Mariner 8.

Mariner 9 preparing for thermal vacuum test

Mariner 9 preparing for thermal vacuum test

Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

For nearly a year, Mariner 9 carried out its mission, collecting data on the composition of the Martian surface and atmosphere. Of the more than 7,000 images it transmitted, some of the most significant were the first detailed views of the solar system's largest volcano, a canyon system that dwarfs the Grand Canyon, and provided the first closeup pictures of Mars’ two small, irregular moons, Phobos and Deimos.

Full scale model of Mariner 9

Full scale model of Mariner 9

Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

Mariner 9’s mission officially ended on 27 October 1972, but remains in Areocentric orbit until at least 2022, when it is projected to fall out of orbit and into the Martian atmosphere. CL#21-0730

Want to learn more about the history of JPL?

Visit the JPL Archives
Download JPG
Credit
NASA/JPL-Caltech

Related Topic

News .

NASA Scientists & Historian Named AAAS 2022 Fellows

Lecture Series .

January 2023 - How Do Missions Get Formed?

JPL Annual Invention Challenge - 2022

Slice of History

Event Oct. 12, 2022 - Jan. 17, 2023 .

Contest: Power to Explore Writing Challenge

Event Jan. 26, 2023 .

Student Webinar – Make a Cardboard Rover

Universe Newsletter

Von Kármán Lecture .

The von Kármán Lecture Series: 2023

Lecture Series .

March 2023 - Exploring Ocean Worlds with EELS (Exobiology Extant Life Surveyor)

Lecture Series .

February 2023 - Perseverance: Two Years on Mars

About JPL
Who We Are
Executive Council
Directors
Careers
Internships
The JPL Story
JPL Achievements
Documentary Series
Annual Reports
Missions
Current
Past
Future
All
News
All
Earth
Solar System
Stars and Galaxies
Subscribe to JPL News
Galleries
Images
Videos
Audio
Podcasts
Apps
Visions of the Future
Slice of History
Robotics at JPL
Events
Lecture Series
Team Competitions
Speakers Bureau
Calendar
Visit
Public Tours
Virtual Tour
Directions and Maps
Topics
JPL Life
Solar System
Mars
Earth
Climate Change
Exoplanets
Stars and Galaxies
Robotics
More
Asteroid Watch
NASA's Eyes Visualizations
Universe - Internal Newsletter
Social Media
Get the Latest from JPL
Follow Us

JPL is a federally funded research and development center managed for NASA by Caltech.

More from JPL
Careers Education Science & Technology Acquisitions JPL Store
Careers
Education
Science & Technology
Acquisitions
JPL Store
Related NASA Sites
Basics of Spaceflight
Climate Kids
Earth / Global Climate Change
Exoplanet Exploration
Mars Exploration
Solar System Exploration
Space Place
NASA's Eyes Visualization Project
Voyager Interstellar Mission
NASA
Caltech
Privacy
Image Policy
FAQ
Feedback
Site Managers: Veronica McGregor, Randal Jackson
Site Editors: Tony Greicius, Naomi Hartono
CL#: 21-0018