Date of launch (location):
Aug. 20, 1975 (ETR)
Launch vehicle:
Titan IIIE-Centaur
Weight (kg):
Orbiter:
2320
Lander:
1190 at launch
600 at landing
Shape:
Orbiter-octagonal ring with four
solar panels
Lander-six sided with three landing
legs
Dimensions (m):
Orbiter:
9.70 diameter with panels
extended
3.29 height
Lander:
3.02 diameter at widest point
2.13 height
Power source:
Orbiter:
solar panels and 2 NiCd
batteries
Lander:
4 NiCd batteries and 2 RTGs
Date of landing:
July 20, 1976
Responsible NASA center:
Langley Research Center, overall
management and lander
Jet Propulsion Center, orbiter
Project manager:
James S. Martin
Objectives:
To make observations of Mars from
orbit and direct measurements in the atmosphere and on the
surface with emphasis on biological, chemical, and
environmental data relevant to the existence of life on the
planet. NASA had originally scheduled mission A for an
equatorial region and mission B for the mid
latitudes.
Science teams:
Active biology
Lander imagery
Molecular analysis
Entry science
Meteorology
Radio science
Seismology
Physical properties
Magnetic properties
Inorganic chemistry
Results:
Successful; landing was delayed from
July 4 to July 20, 1976, while specialists sought safe and
scientifically interesting landing sites. Viking provided no
definitive answers to the exobiologists' questions about the
existence of life on Mars. NASA completed the primary
mission on Nov. 15, 1976, but conducted an extended mission
through Aug. 7, 1980, to obtain data on seasonal variations
and long-duration sampling.
Reference: Edward C. and Linda Neuman Ezell, On Mars; Exploration of the Red Planet, 1958-1978, NASA SP-4212 (Washington, 1984).