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In 1971, the Mariner 9 spacecraft beat the Soviet Mars 2 to the Red Planet to become the first spacecraft to orbit another planet. While in orbit, Mariner 9 mapped 85 percent of the Martian surface and collected valuable information about Mars' 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 the Martian moons Phobos and Deimos.
Spacecraft connection to the Museum:
Spacecraft connection to the Museum:
An image of Mariner 9 is available as part of the Museum's digital collection on our website. This object is not on display on the floor at the National Air and Space Museum.
Additional information:
When did Mariner 9 launch from Earth and arrive at Mars?
Launch: Mariner 9 launched on May 30, 1971 6:32 p.m. EDT (22:30 UTC) from Kennedy Space Center, Florida.
Mars Orbit Insertion: It started its orbit around Mars on November 13, 1971
Mission Status: Inactive It concluded its mission in October 27, 1972. Mariner 9 is expected to remain in orbit until approximately 2022, when the spacecraft is projected to enter the Martian atmosphere and either burn up or crash into the planet's surface.
What were the mission objectives for Mariner 9?
Mariner 9 was designed to continue the atmospheric studies begun by Mariner 6 and 7, and to map over 70% of the Martian surface.
Create high resolution photos from the lowest altitude and at the highest resolutions of any Mars mission up to that point.
Detect heat sources in search of evidence of volcanic activity.
Study temporal changes in the Martian atmosphere and surface.
Analyze Mars' two moons Phobos and Deimos
Mariner 9 was the first artificial satellite to orbit Mars, how many others are there?
As of July 2020, there are currently 14 known artificial satellites in Mars orbit:
Inactive: Mars-2, Mars-3, Mars-5, Phobos 2, Mariner 9, Viking , Viking 2, Mars Global Surveyor
Active: 2001 Mars Odyssey, Mars Express, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, Mars Orbiter Mission, MAVEN, ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter
What were some of the findings from Mariner 9's mission?
Mariner 9 observed a great dust storm that had obscured the whole globe of the planet. It used a digital tape-recorder rather than film to store images and other science data which allowed it to compile a global mosaic of high-quality images of the surface of Mars. Mariner 9 successfully returned 7329 images over the course of its mission, which concluded in October 1972
Mariner 9 provided the first closeup pictures of Mars’ two small, irregular moons, Phobos and Deimos.
What were some of the instruments on Mariner 9 and what were their purposes?
Ultraviolet Spectrometer (UVS) - receive ultraviolet (UV) radiation (1100 to 3520 A) from the surface and atmosphere of Mars, scan selected bands of this radiation, and provide an intensity value as a function of wavelength on the basis of scan-cycle time. This provided UV cartography (mapping) and aeronomy (analysis of the upper atmosphere).
Infrared Interferometer Spectrometer (IRIS) - record the thermal (heat) emission spectrum of Mars to provide information on atmospheric and surface properties. The thermometer allowed for the observance and measurement of heat energy emitting from an object, and the spectrometer enabled the identification of various elements, molecules, and compounds which may be present in an atmosphere and/or on the surface of a body.
Infrared Radiometer (IRR) - measure reflected infrared, visible, and ultraviolet light off of a body to detect heat sources in search of evidence of volcanic activity.
Visual Imaging System – capture from a lower orbit, high quality images of Mars. Mariner 9 achieved a resolution of 320 feet (98 m) per pixel, whereas previous Martian probes had achieved only approximately 2,600 feet (790 m) per pixel.
What was the primary power source for the Mariner 9?
Solar Panels - 14 742 solar cells producing 500 watts at Mars (Total solar panel area = 7.7m2)
Nickel-cadmium battery, 20 amp-hours
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