Born on March 29
Mariner 10 Reaches Mercury
The first visit to the innermost planet.
Next: March 29, 2027
Where it comes from
On 29 March 1974 NASA's Mariner 10 flew 703 kilometres above Mercury, becoming the first spacecraft to visit the planet closest to the Sun, and this Story marks the anniversary.
How it's celebrated
There is no organised observance. It is a good day to look through Mariner 10's photographs, read about the gravity assist it was the first to use, or follow BepiColombo, the European and Japanese mission to Mercury named after one of Mariner 10's planners.
Did you know
Giuseppe 'Bepi' Colombo of the University of Padua worked out an orbit that brought Mariner 10 back to Mercury every 176 days, so it flew past three times in 1974 and 1975.
Read the full story of Mariner 10 Reaches Mercury
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Aries · March 21 – April 19 · Fire sign
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