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Our First Glimpse of Mars

On July 14, 1965, Mariner 4 approached Mars—and sent back our first-ever view of a planet from deep space.

While astronomers and skywatchers around the world await data from the New Horizons flyby of Pluto, today also marks another historic moment for space exploration. Fifty years ago—from July 14 to July 15, 1965—the Mariner 4 spacecraft completed a successful flyby of Mars, sending back our first images another planet taken from deep space.

Watch the video above for images from the pivotal mission and how it transformed scientific views on Mars.