Historical Photo Of The Month - February 2004

Mariner Mars 1969
Photograph Number 352-5481Ac

In February JPL celebrates the 35th anniversary of the launch of Mariner 6, the first of two identical Mariner Mars 1969 spacecraft. Known as Mariner 6 and 7, the spacecraft were designed to fly by Mars, analyze the atmosphere and surface with remote sensors, and take pictures of the equator and south pole of the planet. According to the Mariner Mars 1969 Final Project Report (JPL Technical Report 32-1460) the objectives of the project were to "...conduct flyby missions in order to make exploratory investigations of Mars which will set the basis for future experiments, particularly those relevant to the search for extraterrestrial life" and to "...develop technology needed for the succeeding Mars missions." Mariner Mars 1964, Mariner Mars 1969, Viking, Pathfinder, and other missions have all contributed to our knowledge of the red planet and made the current Mars Exploration Rover mission possible.

There were actually four spacecraft built at JPL for the Mariner Mars 1969 mission. M69-1, a Proof Test Model, was used in space simulation tests, vibration/shock tests, calibration, training, and Mission Operations readiness tests, and was used in most publicity photos for the mission. This spacecraft was put through more intensive testing than the flight spacecraft, to prevent them from being tested to the point of failure. M69-2 and M69-3 were the two flight spacecraft. M69-4 was a flight spare, shipped to Cape Canaveral at the same time as M69-2 in case a replacement might be needed.

The photo above shows the weight and center of gravity test conducted on M69-2, about three months before it was shipped to the Air Force Eastern Test Range (AFETR) at Cape Canaveral. Mariner 6 was launched on February 24, 1969 and Mariner 7 was launched on March 27 of that same year. They reached Mars in July and August of 1969.

For more information about JPL's exploration of Mars, you can read the Fact Sheets for various missions. Contact the JPL Archives for more detailed information, such as the project final reports.

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