Planetary science

Mariner 2

Completed

Image: Eric Long/Smithsonian · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

The first spacecraft to fly past another planet and return data. Its measurements showed that Venus has a very hot surface beneath its clouds.

Milestones

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1963

Completed

Probe based on the Ranger lunar design, with microwave and infrared radiometers to scan Venus during the flyby.

Mission details from science.nasa.gov.