Editing Mariner 1 (section)

===Structure===

[[File:Diagram of Mariner 1.jpg|thumb|Diagram of Mariner 1]]
 
All three of the Mariner R spacecraft, including Mariner 1, weighed within {{cvt|3|lb}} of the design weight of {{cvt|447|lb}}, {{cvt|406|lb}} of which was devoted to non-experimental systems: maneuvering systems, fuel, and communications equipment for receiving commands and transmitting data. Once fully deployed in space, with its two solar panel "wings" extended, Mariner R was {{cvt|12|ft}} in height and {{cvt|16.5|ft}} across. The main body of the craft was hexagonal with six separate cases of electronic and electromechanical equipment:

*Two of the cases comprised the power system: [[switchgear]] that regulated and transmitted power from the 9800 [[solar cells]] to the {{cvt|33.3|lb}} rechargeable 1000 watt<ref name=NSSDC/> silver-zinc storage battery. 
*Two more included the [[radio receiver]], the three-[[watt]] transmitter, and control systems for Mariner's experiments. 
*The fifth case held electronics for [[digital signal|digitizing]] the [[analog signal|analog]] data received by the experiments for transmission. 
*The sixth case carried the three [[gyroscope]]s that determined Mariner's orientation in space. It also held the central computer and sequencer, the "brain" of the spacecraft that coordinated all of its activities pursuant to code in its [[memory bank]]s and on a schedule maintained by an electronic clock tuned into equipment on Earth.<ref name=treasury/>{{rp|175}}

At the rear of the spacecraft, a [[monopropellant]] (anhydrous [[hydrazine]]) 225 [[Newton (unit)|N]]<ref name=NSSDC/> rocket motor was mounted for course corrections. A nitrogen gas fueled stabilizing system of ten jet nozzles controlled by the onboard gyroscopes, Sun sensors, and Earth sensors, kept Mariner properly oriented to receive and transmit data to Earth.<ref name=treasury/>{{rp|175}}

The primary [[high gain antenna|high gain]] parabolic antenna was also mounted on the underside of Mariner and kept pointed toward the Earth. An [[omnidirectional antenna]] atop the spacecraft would broadcast at times that the spacecraft was rolling or tumbling out of its proper orientation, to maintain contact with Earth; as an unfocused antenna, its signal would be much weaker than the primary. Mariner also mounted small antennas on each of the wings to receive commands from ground stations.<ref name=treasury/>{{rp|175–176}}

Temperature control was both passive, involving insulated, and highly reflective components; and active, incorporating [[louver]]s to protect the case carrying the onboard computer. At the time the first Mariners were built, no [[test chamber]] existed to simulate the near-Venus solar environment, so the efficacy of these cooling techniques could not be tested until the live mission.<ref name=treasury/>{{rp|176}}