First spacecraft to orbit another planet – Mariner 9 launched

First spacecraft to orbit another planet – Mariner 9 launched cover image
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30 May, 1971

The first spacecraft to orbit another planet was US Mariner 9. It was launched on 30th May 1971 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

Mariner 9 reached the orbit of planet Mars on 14th November 1971 beating the Soviet’s Mars 2 and Mars 3 both of which arrived within a month.

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