American space probe Mariner 2 launches towards Venus 50 years ago today (1962)


Video: '1962: Mariner 2 (NASA)'

(Monday, August 27, 1962, 2:53 a.m. EDT) — The United States launched the Mariner 2 space probe today from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 12, which would fly past Venus in December 1962.