The biology experiment produced no evidence of life at either landing site.įurther information on the spacecraft, experiments, and data returned from the Viking missions can be found in the Septemissue of the Journal of Geophysical Research, "Scientific Results of the Viking Project", vol. Seasonal dust storms, pressure changes, and transport of atmospheric gases between the polar caps were observed. Measured temperatures at the landing sites ranged from 150 to 250 K, with a variation over a given day of 35 to 50 K. The surface material at both landing sites can best be characterized as iron-rich clay. 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 planet appears to be divisible into two main regions, northern low plains and southern cratered highlands. Volcanoes, lava plains, immense canyons, cratered areas, wind-formed features, and evidence of surface water are apparent in the Orbiter images. The results from the Viking experiments give our most complete view of Mars to date. The Viking 2 Orbiter was powered down on Jafter 706 orbits, and the Viking 1 Orbiter on August 17, 1980, after over 1400 orbits. The lowest periapsis altitude for both Orbiters was 300 km. The Viking 2 Lander touched down at Utopia Planitia (47.64° N, 134. Almost half of the planet's surface between 40 and 50 N was photographed in the attempt to find a suitable landing site for the second lander. Viking 2 was launched Septemand entered Mars orbit on August 7, 1976. The Orbiters imaged the entire surface of Mars at a resolution of 150 to 300 meters, and selected areas at 8 meters. Viking Orbiter 1 took pictures of the proposed landing site for the second lander from these it was determined, even before the second spacecraft arrived at Mars, that the site was not acceptable. 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. Viking 2 was launched Septemand entered Mars orbit on August 7, 1976. On Jthe 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). The first month of orbit was devoted to imaging the surface to find appropriate landing sites for the Viking Landers. Viking 1 was launched on Augand arrived at Mars on June 19, 1976. 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. NASA's Viking Mission to Mars was composed of two spacecraft, Viking 1 and Viking 2, each consisting of an orbiter and a lander. Vikings 1 and 2 became the first space probes to successfully land on the surface of Mars. Throughout the complete Mars year during which they have been on the planet, the imaging systems aboard the two Viking landers have documented a variety of.
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