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Viking

[Image of Viking]

Launch Dates:
August 20 &
September 9, 1975

Arrival:
June 19 &
August 7, 1976

Landing:
July 20 &
September 3, 1976

Target:
Mars


The Viking Mission to Mars launched two spacecraft, Viking 1 and Viking 2, each consisting of an orbiter and a lander. The primary mission objectives were to obtain high resolution images of the Martian surface, characterize the structure and composition of the atmosphere and surface, and search for evidence of life. The spacecraft were launched in 1975 and arrived at Mars in 1976. The first month of orbit was devoted to imaging the surface to find appropriate landing sites for the Viking Landers. The Viking 1 Lander touched down at Chryse Planitia. The Viking 2 Lander touched down at Utopia Planitia. The Orbiters imaged the entire surface of Mars.


Web Pages with Information about Viking

Astrogeology Research Program

MDIM 2.1: Mars Global Digital Image Mosaic - View and download the latest Mars Digital Image Model, a global image map designed to emphasize local topographic features
Maps and Globes Gallery: View and download digital maps and globes of Venus, the Moon, Mars, and Jovian satellites
Martian Hemisphere Images: View and download stunning images of Mars surface
Valles Marineris: The Grand Canyon of Mars - 3D renderings, stereoscopic views, and GIS downloads of Candor and Ophir Chasmata
Laboratory Spectroscopy of Dust Coatings and Shocked Minerals: Exploration of the laboratory thermal infrared and visible/near-infrared spectroscopy of palagonitic dust coatings on rock substrates and experimentally shocked pyroxene and Ca-rich plagioclase feldspar
NASA Planetary Photojournal: Images from various Solar System exploration programs
Regional Planetary Information Facility (RPIF): Information about the resources in our Regional Planetary Information Facility

Other Web Sites