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The Mariner Mars 1971 spacecraft is a Mars orbiter which is fully attitude stabiized using the sun and the star Canopus as the basic attitude references. The spacecraft's basic structure is a 40 pound, 8 sided magnesium framework with eight electronic compartments. The electronic assemblies fastened within the compartments provide structural support to the spacecraft. The weight of the spacecraft is approximately 2200 pounds. The launch vehicle/spacecraft upper adapter weight is about 72 pounds. The spacecraft measures 8 feet from the separation plane to the top of the low gain antenna and has a burn out weight of approximately 1190 pounds. Its span is 22 feet 7 1/2 inches with the solar panels extended. The basic octagonal structure is 54 1/2 inches high. Four solar panels, each 84 1/2 inches long and 35 1/2 inches wide, are attached on outriggers to the octagon. (KEYSTONE/UNITED ARCHIVES)