61 years ago, NASA launched the Mariner 2 spacecraft on its way to Venus.
Aug. 27, 1962: NASA Launched The Mariner 2 To Venus|Owlcation
The Mariner 2 spacecraft is the first to ever successfully make an interplanetary visit.
On August 27, 1962, NASA successfully launched Mariner 2, the first spacecraft to visit another planet, Venus. The Mariner 2 reached Venus after traveling through space for 3.5 months.
After the previous Mariner 1 mission failed, Mariner 2 was launched only a month later. However, Mariner 2 almost encountered a similar problem soon after departing from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
An electrical issue disrupted the Atlas-Agena rocket, causing the Mariner 2 spacecraft to start rolling and lose communication with mission control. Fortunately, the problem resolved on its own, allowing Mariner 2 to continue its mission to Venus.
It was due to the Mariner 2 that we were able to know more about Venus.
Mariner 2 discovered that Venus is much hotter and unsuitable for habitation, contrary to what was previously believed about its tropical conditions hidden under a dense layer of clouds, according to NASA Solar System Exploration.
NASA Solar System Exploration added that the Mariner 2 spacecraft scanned Venus for 42 minutes and collected important information about its atmosphere and surface.
Mariner 2, despite achieving only modest scientific success, holds the distinction of being the first-ever successful planetary science mission.
READ MORE|On This Day In Space: Aug. 27, 1962: Mariner 2 launches to Venus
