Exploration of the Planets - Katherine Triggs

Venus - Mariner 2

Jan 1, 1962

first to reach planet, reveals temperature http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/

Venus - Venera 7

Dec 6, 1970

Soviet craft, sends 23 minutes of data from surface of Venus. First to land on the planet http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/

Mercury - Mariner 10

Mar 29, 1973

first flyby of Mercury. Launched in Nov. 3 1973 http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/

Venus - Marnier 10

Feb 5, 1974

first flyby of Venus http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/

Jupiter - Voyager 1

Dec 7, 1979

discovered Jupiter's rings http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/

Saturn - Voyager 1 and 2

Dec 7, 1980

discovered that Saturn's rings are mostly water and ice http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/

Uranus - Voyager 2

Dec 7, 1986

During its flyby, discoveres 10 moons and an additional 2 rings http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/

Neptune - Voyager 2

Dec 7, 1989

During flyby, tracked the Great Dark Spot and observed clouds http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/

Venus - Magellan

Dec 6, 1990

Orbits Venus http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/

Jupiter - Galileo

Dec 7, 1995

dropped probe into Jupiter's atmosphere, studied composition http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/

Mars - Mars Odyssey

Dec 6, 2001

Orbited the planet, dectected hydrogen rich polar deposits http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/

Venus - Venus Express

Dec 6, 2005

European Space Agency. Studies atmosphere and plasma environment http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/

Saturn - Cassini

Dec 7, 2009

Found that rings pile up in ridges more than 3km tall. Still in orbit htto://solarsystem.nasa.gov/

Mercury - MESSENGER

Mar 17, 2011

first to orbit Mercury. Launched Aug. 3 2004 http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/

Mars - Curiosity

Dec 7, 2011

Large land rover preparing for launch. Will invesigate possible microbial life conditions and search for clues of past life. http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/