The Mutch Memorial Station - Viking I Mars Lander
Two Viking landers were the first spacecraft to conduct prolonged scientific studies on the surface of another planet. Viking 1 began its 10-month journey to Mars on August 20, 1975. Viking 2 followed on September 9. After entering Mars orbit, the spacecraft orbiters conducted photographic surveys of the planet's surface to assist in the search for safe landing sites. Viking 1 landed on July 20, 1976; Viking 2 landed on September 3.
Instruments aboard the spacecraft provided valuable information on the Martian atmosphere and surface. Biological experiments on the Viking landers did not detect signs of life or any of the organic compounds that are abundant on Earth.
The Viking 1 Mars lander continued to transmit photographs and other data periodically from the Martian surface until November 1982, almost 6 1/2 years after its 1976 landing.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration formally transferred ownership of the Viking 1 lander on Mars to the National Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian Institution. That lander is virtually identical to the "proof test article" displayed in the museum.
The Mutch Memorial Station - Viking I Mars Lander
Two Viking landers were the first spacecraft to conduct prolonged scientific studies on the surface of another planet. Viking 1 began its 10-month journey to Mars on August 20, 1975. Viking 2 followed on September 9. After entering Mars orbit, the spacecraft orbiters conducted photographic surveys of the planet's surface to assist in the search for safe landing sites. Viking 1 landed on July 20, 1976; Viking 2 landed on September 3.
Instruments aboard the spacecraft provided valuable information on the Martian atmosphere and surface. Biological experiments on the Viking landers did not detect signs of life or any of the organic compounds that are abundant on Earth.
The Viking 1 Mars lander continued to transmit photographs and other data periodically from the Martian surface until November 1982, almost 6 1/2 years after its 1976 landing.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration formally transferred ownership of the Viking 1 lander on Mars to the National Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian Institution. That lander is virtually identical to the "proof test article" displayed in the museum.