Impressive vintage 1:10 scale model of the Mariner 10 space probe from 1973. The model measures approximately 25 x 21 x 14.5 with all components unfolded for display, and is set upon a 9 x 9 wooden base bearing model name and NASA property labels, the latter reading: "JPL NAS7-100, Model Number M 381." Features of the model include: two tiltable solar panels, the sun shade and rocket motor nozzle, the steerable high-gain antenna, and the TV cameras. In very good to fine condition, with scattered scuffing and marks, some peeling to solar panels, and a chip and wear to antenna; a small silver piece detached but present. From the personal collection of Charlie Dry, a former Apollo test astronaut and research engineer and senior scientific analyst at NASA. The last spacecraft in the Mariner program, the 10 was launched by NASA on November 3, 1973, to fly by the planets Mercury and Venus, with the mission objectives for the two planets focusing on measuring environment, atmosphere, surface, and body characteristics. After the Mariner 10's third and final flyby of Mercury, all communication with the probe were turned off on March 24, 1975. The Mariner 10 retrieved massive amounts of valuable information from its journey: it discovered evidence of rotating clouds and a very weak magnetic field on Venus, and photographed its chevron clouds and performed other atmospheric studies; it mapped 40-45% of Mercury’s surface by taking over 2,800 photos and revealed a more or less Moonlike surface. Additionally, it discovered that Mercury has a tenuous atmosphere consisting primarily of helium, as well as a magnetic field and a large iron-rich core. Mariner 10 is presumably still orbiting the Sun.
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