MISSION NAME
Mariner 2 2
Status
Success
DATE
27 AUG 1962
LAUNCH PROVIDER
United States Air Force
Launch Pad
Launch Complex 12
Description
Backup of Mariner 1, designed to flyby Venus. It passed below the planet at a closest distance of 34,773 km.
Atlas LV-3 Agena B
Rocket Description
The Atlas LV-3A was a largely unsuccessful configuration until it was given an Agena B upper stage. It was responsible for the launch of Mariner II to Venus and had one of the first engines that could be restarted in orbit.