MARINER 2
Introduction
Today, 60 years ago, Mariner 2 became the first successful mission to another planet when it flew by Venus on December 14, 1962. Launched 36 days after the loss of Mariner-1, Mariner 2 carried the same scientific equipment as its predecessor. The spacecraft made a number of discoveries about the planet and marked another first by measuring the solar wind, a constant stream of charged particles flying outward from the sun.
Launch Facts
It was launched with the help of Atlas-Agena B. it was launched on the date- 27th august, 1962 at 06:53:14 UT, from Cape Canaveral, United States
Scientific Accomplishments
Scientific discoveries made by Mariner 2 included a slow retrograde rotation rate for Venus, hot surface temperatures and high surface pressures, a predominantly carbon dioxide atmosphere, continuous cloud cover with a top altitude of about 60 km, and no detectable magnetic field. It was also shown that in interplanetary space the solar wind streams continuously and the cosmic dust density is much lower than the near-Earth region. Improved estimates of Venus' mass and the value of the astronomical unit were made.
Mariner 2 also found that there was a dense cloud layer that extended from 35 to 50 miles (56 to 80 kilometres) above the surface. The spacecraft detected no discernible planetary magnetic field, partly explained by the great distance between the spacecraft and the planet.
Instruments
1. Microwave Radiometer
2. Infrared Radiometer
3. Fluxgate Magnetometer
4. Cosmic Dust Detector
5. Solar Plasma Spectrometer
6. Energetic Particle Detectors
7. Ionization Chamber
