Collection of prototype and engineering model parts for Mariner 2, which became the first space probe of any country to complete a successful mission to another planet when it flew by Venus on December 14, 1962. The historic group includes: two spacecraft solar panels; the main mast with omni antenna, magnetometer sensor, and particle flux detector; radiometer with parabolic antenna; Mariner gyro signal conditioner; and high-gain antenna arm.
The pieces are impressive in their full scale, with the instrument mast measuring 75" tall and each solar panel wing measuring about 46" by 36". On the top of the mast is the omnidirectional antenna, with magnetometer sensor 'canister' below and particle flux sensor mounted about halfway up. The 19"-diameter parabolic radiometer antenna—with microwave radiometer, infrared radiometer, and radiometer reference horns—would have been mounted near the bottom of the mast. The signal conditioner and gyro control electronics box would have been installed within the main bus. The high-gain antenna arm, fixed to the bottom of the spacecraft, was designed for slewing/positioning the high gain directional dish antenna antenna so that it remained pointed at Earth. The mast and the solar panels both retain integrated wiring harnesses.
Launched from Cape Canaveral on August 27, 1962, the Mariner 2 robotic space probe flew by Venus on December 14th, becoming the first to conduct a successful planetary encounter. The probe was loaded with instruments designed to measure the temperature distribution on the surface of Venus and to make basic measurements of Venus' atmosphere, and communicate those findings back to Earth. It also made measurements of solar wind, interplanetary dust, and interplanetary magnetic fields during its 18,000-mile journey. Data gathered during the probe's pioneering flyby of Venus revealed hot surface temperatures and high surface pressures, a predominantly carbon dioxide atmosphere, continuous cloud cover, and no detectable magnetic field. A unique and important collection of prototype parts designed for the historic Mariner 2 spacecraft.
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