AeroVia LogoAeroVia
Back to Vehicle Families

Mariner Mars 1971 spacecraft

Mariner 8 and 9 were twin solar-powered spacecraft developed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory for the Mariner Mars 1971 project. Both were designed to become the first orbiters at Mars; Mariner 8 was lost during launch, while Mariner 9 reached Mars and became the first spacecraft to orbit another planet.

Mariner Mars 1971 spacecraft
NASA / Jet Propulsion Laboratory / California Institute of Technology / Goddard Space Flight Center · NASA-hosted asset; the exact NASA Science Mariner 9 spacecraft record identifies this matching Mariner 9 spacecraft photograph and credits NASA/JPL-Caltech/GSFC. NASA’s current Images and Media Usage Guidelines generally permit factual or informational/editorial use with NASA attribution and without implying NASA endorsement. NASA insignia and identifiers, third-party material, identifiable-person rights, and commercial, promotional, merchandise, or other protected-rights uses may require separate clearance; verify before such use. · Source
Follow this vehicle family

Future launches and major activity directly linked to this vehicle family.

Identity

Aliases
Mariner 8/9 spacecraftMariner H/IMariner Mars '71 spacecraft
Family Name
Mariner Mars 1971
Full Name
Mariner Mars 1971 spacecraft
Roles
interplanetary_probeorbiter
Status
retired
Type
spacecraft

Details

Description
Mariner 8 and 9 were twin solar-powered spacecraft developed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory for the Mariner Mars 1971 project. Both were designed to become the first orbiters at Mars; Mariner 8 was lost during launch, while Mariner 9 reached Mars and became the first spacecraft to orbit another planet.
First Flight Year
1,971
Last Flight Year
1,971
Manufacturer
Operator
Spacecraft Specs
Launch Mass
…
Reusability
expendable

Links

Official Url
https://science.nasa.gov/mission/mariner-program/mars-mariner-missions/

Assets & Meta

Creation Time
July 29, 2026 at 08:14:33 UTC
Updated Time
July 29, 2026 at 08:14:33 UTC
Image
Download