What is Mariner 9?
{{Infobox spaceflight | name = Mariner 9 | image = Mariner09.jpg | image_caption = The Mariner 9 spacecraft | mission_type = [[Mars orbiter]] | operator = [[NASA]] / [[JPL]] | website = | COSPAR_ID = 1971-051A | SATCAT = 5261 | mission_duration = 1&nbsp;year, 4&nbsp;months, 27&nbsp;days | manufacturer = [[Jet Propulsion Laboratory]] | dry_mass = {{convert|558.8|kg}} | launch_mass = {{convert|997.9|kg}} | power = 500&nbsp;watts | launch_date = {{start-date|May 30, 1971, 22:23:04|timezone=yes}}&nbsp;UTC | launch_rocket = [[Atlas-Centaur|Atlas SLV-3C Centaur-D]] | launch_site = [[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|Cape Canaveral]] [[Spaceport Florida Launch Complex 36|LC-36B]] | launch_contractor = | disposal_type = Decommissioned | deactivated = {{end-date|October 27, 1972}} | orbit_epoch = | orbit_reference = [[Areocentric orbit|Areocentric]] | orbit_periapsis = {{Convert|1650|km}} | orbit_apoapsis = {{Convert|16860|km}} | orbit_inclination = 64.4° | orbit_period = 719.47 minutes | apsis = areion |interplanetary = {{Infobox spaceflight/IP |type = orbiter |component = |object = [[Mars]] |orbits = |arrival_date = November 14, 1971, 00:42:00 [[UTC]] }} }} '''Mariner 9''' was a [[NASA]] [[spacecraft]]. It was the ninth spacecraft in the [[Mariner programme]]. It was sent to study and orbit the [[planet]] [[Mars]]. It was the first spacecraft to orbit another planet. Mariner 9 was launched on May 30, 1971 from [[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mariner 9 - NASA Science|url=https://science.nasa.gov/mission/mariner-9/|access-date=2024-09-09|website=science.nasa.gov|language=en-US}}</ref> Mariner 9 reached Mars on November 13, 1971, after a ~170