Mariner 4
Yesterday the New Horizons probe became the first space
craft to reach Pluto. However 50 years ago on July 15th 1965 Mariner
4 became the first space craft to reach Mars.
Although scientists knew that there were no canals or
intelligent life on the red planet, many assumed that there would be tundra
like plants and lichens there.
The photographs that Mariner 4 sent back although very
grainy and of poor quality compared to those that are sent back from modern
space craft showed that Mars rather than being covered in simple plant life
looked far more hostile and resembled the surface of the Moon.
In one moment in time Mariner 4 changed all the old
fashioned romantic views of Mars. Today with rovers on the surface and space
craft orbiting Mars, scientists are still trying to answer questions set by the
first probe to visit Mars 50 years ago, Mariner 4.
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