It's here...MARINER 10 plus an update to MARINER 9

[TERRIER]

Hello everyone

I'm currently working on a model of MARINER 10, the 1973 to 1975 Venus/ Mercury orbiter.

I'm hoping to complete the model in about a weeks time (work commitments permitting) but the biggest stumbling block is gathering data for a suitable orbit. Jack is helping by getting in touch with HORIZONS but at the moment it looks like it's only going to be the 3rd and final flyby of Mercury from around March 1975 and nothing for Venus .

However on the positive side the information I've been getting for this model has helped me find out more details of the Mariner 9 orbiter, which I did a model of a few months ago, so I'm pleased to announce a slightly improved version which is available on Jacks website, spacecraft number 18. Here's a direct link;
http://homepage.eircom.net/~jackhiggins ... riner9.zip

and here's a link to the history of MARINER 10;
http://history.nasa.gov/SP-424/sp424.htm

regards
TERRIER

[Darkmiss]

I really cannot see any diference in the model at all
or is it just the ssc information that has changes ?

[JackHiggins]

Look at the High gain antenna, and compare it to the screenshots of the old one on my site (haven't been changed yet)

It's only the 3ds has changed everything else is identical.

Btw since we're on the subject of mariners... I have a *full Mariner 2 (Venus flyby) trajectory, and I'm nearly finished a model too, so you can expect that soon as well.
TERRIER and myself both started work on them independently, it's just a coincidence that I happened to be looking for an orbit at the same time he was modelling!

*Trajectory is in a HGI based reference frame, and needs to be converted (work in progress) Also it's a bit innacurate in parts so I need to fix that.

[Darkmiss]

Oh yeah, I see...
its such a small change i missed it....

but its a change for the better.
Thanks Jack

[TERRIER]

Here's a (short!) list of the mods I've done to Mariner 9 in case any more of you are wondering what's changed;

• Changes to the arrangement of the high gain antenna (dish)
• Revealed 'missing' surfaces on the triangular struts
• Added an extra cross member and circular hinge to the triangular struts.
• Some other minor positional changes

As you've just said Paul, the changes are small but I think they were worth doing!

Regards

[TERRIER]

Nearly forgot about Mariner 10, so far no luck with a genuine orbit ...but I have managed to 'fudge' something that will show the spacecraft flyby Mercury on the correct dates;

29th March 1974, 21st September 1974, and 16th March 1975.

Here's a preview of the model, showing it's first flyby (medium ambient light);



I can release this with the fake orbit if anybody is interested

regards
TERRIER

[ANDREA]

Nearly forgot about Mariner 10, so far no luck with a genuine orbit ...but I have managed to 'fudge' something that will show the spacecraft flyby Mercury on the correct dates;I can release this with the fake orbit if anybody is interested regards TERRIER

Terrier, I'm interested, please do it.
BTW, what Mercury texture are you using in the shown image?
It's very beautiful, and in the enormous number of textures that I have in my HD, may be I'm missing it.
Thank you.

Andrea

[TERRIER]

Terrier, I'm interested, please do it.

OK then!
You can download it here at my NEW website*. ( *There's plenty of room for improvement when I have the time );

http://terriercelestia.sphosting.com/INDEX.htm

or just go to the direct link here;

http://terriercelestia.sphosting.com/Mariner_10.zip

As for the texture , it is a level 3 dds VT, that is Limit of Knowledge, as it only shows the 50% or so, that Mariner 10 actually mapped. I think I downloaded it from Jens' (Jim's) site.

regards
TERRIER

[ANDREA]

As for the texture , it is a level 3 dds VT, that is Limit of Knowledge, as it only shows the 50% or so, that Mariner 10 actually mapped. I think I downloaded it from Jens' (Jim's) site.
regards TERRIER

Thank you very much Terrier, both for the Mariner and for the Mercury texture informatiom, appreciated.
By

Andrea

[JackHiggins]

TERRIER

Your website is working for me again, it must have been a problem on my side the last day.