![A black-and-white photo of the Mariner 7 launch. An Atlas-Centaur rocket takes off, flames pouring out underneath it and smoke billowing off to the left. The words "United States" are written on the rocket. A few wispy clouds are visible in the sky.](https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/101-ksc-69p-223orig.jpg)
Mariner 7 Goes to Mars
An Atlas-Centaur launched at 5:22 p.m. EST on March 27, 1969, to send Mariner 7 on its way to Mars. Mariner 7 joined its sister spacecraft, Mariner 6, on a journey that carried them within 2,000 miles of the red planet that summer. Mariner 6 was launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Feb. 24 and investigated the Martian equatorial area while Mariner 7 concentrated on the south polar cap.
Image Credit: NASA
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https://www.nasa.gov/image-detail/101-ksc-69p-223orig/
TakenMarch 27, 1969
Image CreditNASA
Size2330x3000px