Artist's conception of Viking 1 landing sequence

[KSC-74PC-0303]

  • Photo Number: KSC-74PC-0303

  • Release Date: 11-Feb-1974

    • Description: This is an artist's conception of the sequence of events that will take place just prior to landing a life-detection laboratory on the surface of Mars on July 4, 1976. Above right, the Viking spacecraft, composed of an orbiter and a lander, has been in orbit around the Red Planet since June 19, 1976, taking pictures of the planned landing site to ascertain its safety before releasing the lander (top, left) for its three- to five-hour descent. Protected by aeroshells, the heat-sterilized lander hurtles into the thin Martian atmosphere at a speed of about 10,000 mph, to be slowed first by aerodynamic drag until the shell is discarded, then by parachute (center) and finally by retrorockets to assure a gentle landing. Instruments will study the structure and composition of the Martian atmosphere as the lander drifts down. Viking 2 is scheduled to arrive at Mars on Aug. 7 and touch down on the surface on Sept. 4.

    Resolution Format Width
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    Thumbnail GIF 78 100 11835
    Slide GIF 121 156 27464
    Low GIF 188 240 64564
    Medium JPEG 602 768 55761
    High JPEG 2093 2670 531993

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    Photos By: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Scanned By: Seven/Still Photo Imaging
    Captions: Information Dynamics, Inc (Kay Grinter, Anita Barrett, and Elaine Liston)
    Curator: NASA/KSC Internet Systems Lab (Dumoulin, Downs, Paladino)
    Last Updated: Tuesday August 28 14:18:21 EDT 2001 (Anita Barrett)

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