Mariner 10 was a NASA space probe launched on November 3, 1973, to study the planet Mercury. It was the first spacecraft to visit Mercury, making three flybys between 1974 and 1975. The mission provided valuable data about Mercury's surface, atmosphere, and magnetic field. During its flybys, Mariner 10 captured over 2,800 images of Mercury, revealing its heavily cratered surface and unique features. The spacecraft also helped scientists understand the planet's rotation and its weak magnetic field, contributing significantly to our knowledge of the inner solar system.