What is Mariner program?
{{no sources|date=October 2011}} [[Image:Atlas Agena with Mariner 1.jpg|thumb|right|The launch of [[Mariner 1]] in 1962]] The '''Mariner program''' was a program of [[spacecraft]] launched by [[NASA]] between 1963 and 1973. The spacecraft studied the [[planet]]s [[Mars]], [[Venus]] and [[Mercury (planet)|Mercury]]. There were 10 spacecraft in the Mariner programme, named Mariners 1-10. Seven were successful but three were lost. The program included spacecraft doing things that spacecraft had never done before. These things included the first planetary fly-by, the first [[picture]]s from another planet, the first planetary [[orbiter]], and the first [[gravitational slingshot|gravity assist]] maneuver. Other spacecraft in the Mariner program were planned but they were changed into other spacecraft with different names. For example, Mariner 11 and Mariner 12 were planned but changed into [[Voyager 1]] and [[Voyager 2]]. {{tech-stub}} {{Use American English}} [[Category:Mariner program| ]]