Geek Fact for December 14th
In 1962, Mariner 2 made the first flyby of another planet, Venus. Mariner 2 was a backup for the Mariner 1 mission. Mariner 1 failed shortly after launch to Venus. Learn more at http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraftDisplay.do?id=1962-041A.