NASA's Viking
Mission to Mars was composed of 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. Viking 1 was launched on August 20, 1975 and arrived at Mars
on June 19, 1976. The first month of orbit was devoted to imaging the surface to find
appropriate landing sites for the Viking Landers. On July 20, 1976 the Viking 1 Lander
separated from the Orbiter and touched down at Chryse Planitia (22.48° N, 49.97° W
planetographic, 1.5 km below the datum (6.1 mbar) elevation). Viking 2 was launched
September 9, 1975 and entered Mars orbit on August 7, 1976. The Viking 2 Lander touched
down at Utopia Planitia (47.97° N, 225.74° W, 3 km below the datum elevation) on
September 3, 1976. The Orbiters imaged the entire surface of Mars at a resolution of 150
to 300 meters, and selected areas at 8 meters. The lowest periapsis altitude for both
Orbiters was 300 km. The Viking 2 Orbiter was powered down on July 25, 1978 after 706
orbits, and the Viking 1 Orbiter on August 17, 1980, after over 1400 orbits. The
Viking Landers transmitted images of the surface, took surface samples and analyzed them
for composition and signs of life, studied atmospheric composition and meteorology, and
deployed seismometers. The Viking 2 Lander ended communications on April 11, 1980, and the
Viking 1 Lander on November 13, 1982, after transmitting over 1400 images of the two
sites. Many of these images are also available from NSSDC as photographic products.
The results from the
Viking experiments give our most complete view of Mars to date. Volcanoes, lava plains,
immense canyons, cratered areas, wind-formed features, and evidence of surface water are
apparent in the Orbiter images. The planet appears to be divisible into two main regions,
northern low plains and southern cratered highlands. Superimposed on these regions are the
Tharsis and Elysium bulges, which are high-standing volcanic areas, and Valles Marineris,
a system of giant canyons near the equator. The surface material at both landing sites can
best be characterized as iron-rich clay. Measured temperatures at the landing sites ranged
from 150 to 250 K, with a variation over a given day of 35 to 50 K. Seasonal dust storms,
pressure changes, and transport of atmospheric gases between the polar caps were observed.
The biology experiment produced no evidence of life at either landing site.