Mariner 2 launched successfully on August 27, 1962. The journey to Venus took approximately 110 days. Mariner 2 faced its own tribulations through the interplanetary trek.

On Sept. 4, 1962, NASA's Mariner 2 spacecraft performed the first-ever rocket maneuver in deep space as it did a quick mid-course correction on its way to Venus. It had launched just eight days ...