Mariner 8

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Mariner 8
The Mariner 9 spacecraft, identical to Mariner 8
Mission type Mars orbiter
Operator NASA/JPL
Mission duration Failed to orbit
Spacecraft properties
Manufacturer Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Launch mass 997.9 kilograms (2,200 lb)
Dry mass 558.8 kilograms (1,232 lb)
Power 500 watts
Start of mission
Launch date May 9, 1971, 01:11:02 (1971-05-09UTC01:11:02Z) UTC
Rocket Atlas SLV-3C Centaur-D
Launch site Cape Canaveral LC-36A
Orbital parameters
Reference system Areocentric
Epoch Planned
Launch of Mariner 8

Mariner-H (Mariner Mars '71), also commonly known as Mariner 8, was (along with Mariner 9) part of the Mariner Mars '71 project. It was intended to go into Mars orbit and return images and data, but a launch vehicle failure prevented Mariner 8 from even achieving an Earth orbit and the spacecraft reentered into the Atlantic Ocean shortly after launch.[1]



Mariner Mars 71 Project[edit]

The Mariner Mars 71 project consisted of two spacecraft (Mariners H and I), each of which would be inserted into a Martian orbit, and each of which would perform a separate but complementary mission. Either spacecraft could perform either of the two missions. The two spacecraft would have orbited the planet Mars a minimum of 90 days, during which time data would be gathered on the composition, density, pressure, and temperature of the atmosphere, and the composition, temperature, and topography of the surface. Approximately 70 percent of the planetary surface was to be covered, and temporal as well as spatial variations would be observed. Some of the objectives of the Mariner-H mission were successfully added to the Mariner-I (Mariner 9) mission profile.[1]


Spacecraft and subsystems[edit]

Mariner 8 during solar arrays installation


Spacecraft power was provided by a total of 14,742 solar cells which made up the 4 solar panels with a total area of 7.7 square meters area. The solar panels could produce 800 W at Earth and 500 W at Mars. Power was stored in a 20 ampere-hour nickel-cadmium battery. Propulsion was provided by a gimbaled engine capable of 1340 N thrust and up to 5 restarts. The propellant was monomethyl hydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide. Two sets of 6 attitude control nitrogen jets were mounted on the ends of the solar panels. Attitude knowledge was provided by a Sun sensor, a Canopus star tracker, gyroscopes, an inertial reference unit, and an accelerometer. Passive thermal control was achieved through the use of louvres on the eight sides of the frame and thermal blankets.


See also[edit]


  1. ^ a b c Pyle, Rod (2012). Destination Mars. Prometheus Books. pp. 73–78. ISBN 978-1-61614-589-7. Mariner 8 launched ... but failed early in flight and ended its mission by splashing into the Atlantic Ocean. ... [Mariner 9] was the first spacecraft to enter orbit around another world. ... [It] continues to orbit Mars to this day, sailing around the planet deaf and dumb in the cold darkness. ... [Mariners 1-10 were] a demonstration of what a bargain these early missions were. For a total cost of $554 millions, the inner solar system had been opened, and brilliantly. 

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