On this day in space! Nov. 13, 1971: NASA's Mariner 9 becomes 1st spacecraft to orbit Mars, revealing close looks at the Martian surface

Mariner 9 cemented its place in space history when it entered into orbit around Mars, the first human-built spacecraft ever to do so. On Nov.

Key points

• 13, 1971, Mariner 9 became the first spacecraft to orbit Mars.