Mariner Mars 1971 ( Mariner Ix ) Options

[Guest_PhilCo126_*]

Just wanted to ask if anybody has a source giving the exact launch weight of the 1971 Mariner 9 spacecraft ?
Weblinks give a weight from 558 kg ( probably dry spacecraft without fuels nor upper stage adapter - launch vehicle interface ) to 1100 kg ( complete at launch )

Philip

[Guest_BruceMoomaw_*]

The 1100 kg figure is the correct one for the fueled spacecraft. (The fact that the Atlas-Centaur had so much excess capacity in the case of the 1969 flyby Mariners is what allowed them to be hurled to Mars in record fast time.)

[Guest_PhilCo126_*]

Thanks Bruce, I have found the total fueled weight to be 1030 kilograms ...

[RNeuhaus]

Launch (Mariner 9): May 30, 1971
Arriving (Mariner 9): November 13, 1971

Travel time: 166 days : 5 months, 2 weeks & 2 days of transverse.

Masa: 998 kilograms (2200 libras)

Rodolfo

Reference