Mariner 2: Humanity’s First Interplanetary Success

Launched on August 27, 1962, Mariner 2 made history as the first successful interplanetary probe. After a journey of 109 days, it flew past Venus on December 14, 1962, sending back groundbreaking data about the planet’s atmosphere and surface conditions. Its discoveries revealed that Venus was an incredibly hot and inhospitable world, with surface temperatures exceeding 800°F (427°C). Mariner 2’s mission marked the beginning of humanity’s direct exploration of other planets and set the stage for future interplanetary exploration.