Backup of Mariner 1, designed to flyby Venus. It passed below the planet at a closest distance of 34,773 km. August 27, 1962 at 06:53 UTC · Launch Successful Atlas LV-3 Agena B — United States Air Force, to Venus flyby Launch Complex 12, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA The world's 191st orbital launch attempt, and 49th of 1962. Data: Launch Library 2, The Space Devs. Image by NASA (NASA Image and Media Guidelines) via The Space Devs.