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 MARINER 9 (Mars Orbiter)
Mariner 9 became the first spacecraft to orbit another planet. The spacecraft circled Mars twice each day for a full year, photographing the
surface and analyzing the atmosphere with infrared and ultraviolet instruments. When Mariner 9 first arrived,
Mars was almost totally obscured by dust storms, which persisted for a month. But after the dust cleared, Mariner 9 proceeded to reveal a very different planet -- one that boasted gigantic volcanoes and a grand canyon stretching 4,800 kilometers (3,000 miles) across its surface. More surprisingly, the relics of ancient riverbeds were carved in the landscape of this seemingly dry and dusty planet.
 Mariner 9 image of Martian valley  Mariner 9 image of gigantic Mars volcanic mountain |
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Mission: