On December 14, 1962, NASA's Mariner II spacecraft became the first robotic mission to successfully fly by another planet, sending groundbreaking data back to Earth from Venus. Launched on August 27, 1962, Mariner II traveled over 36 million miles to reach Venus, passing within approximately 34,800 kilometers (21,600 miles) of the planet's surface. During its close approach, the probe collected and transmitted valuable scientific data that revolutionized our understanding of Venus. It confirmed that Venus has an extremely hot surface temperature, exceeding 450°C (about 860°F), due to a thick atmosphere composed mainly of carbon dioxide with high pressure and clouds of sulfuric acid. This discovery dispelled earlier theories that Venus might have conditions similar to Earth and instead revealed it as a hostile environment. Mariner II also detected no measurable magnetic field around Venus, providing critical insights into the planet's internal structure and interaction with solar winds. The mission's success was a significant milestone in space exploration, proving the viability of interplanetary probes and setting the stage for future planetary missions. It solidified NASA's position as a leader in the space race and contributed to humanity’s growing knowledge of the solar system.
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