Mariner 6: Launched February 24, 1969. The Mariner 6 and 7 spacecraft were very similar. Mariner 6 began imaging Mars when it was still over a million miles from the planet. However, the most informative images were 24 pictures taken during the 68 minutes of closest approach. At the closest, on July 31, 1969, Mariner 4 was only 3412 km from the Martian surface. Mariner 7: Launched March 27, 1969. Mariner 7's battery exploded and partially damaged the craft a few days before reaching Mars, but communication was reestablished and the mission continued on power from the solar panels. After reaching Mars, Mariner 7 concentrated on imaging the South Polar region, returning 33 photographs during the 74 minute encounter. One of these images included Phobos in the background.
