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NASA’s Viking Mission to Mars

On July 20, 1976, NASA's Viking 1 landed successfully on Mars and sent back to Earth the first photograph from the surface of another planet. Viking 1 was joined on the surface by twin lander Viking 2, and both were supported by Viking 1 and 2 orbiters, which also did their own science from space.

NASA Viking Project found a place in history when it became the first U.S. mission to land a spacecraft successfully...
NASA Viking Project found a place in history when it became the first U.S. mission to land a spacecraft successfully on the surface of Mars.
Artist’s concept of the Viking spacecraft, with the orbiter at the top and the lander tucked inside the aeroshell below.
Artist’s concept of the Viking spacecraft, with the orbiter at the top and the lander tucked inside the aeroshell below.
Artwork: JPL Spacecraft Vikings Explore Planet Mars
This is the first photograph ever taken on the surface of the planet Mars. It was obtained by NASA's Viking...
This is the first photograph ever taken on the surface of the planet Mars. It was obtained by NASA's Viking 1 just minutes after the spacecraft landed successfully July 20, 1976.
First Color Image From Viking Lander 1
First Color Image From Viking Lander 1
Viking Lander 2 First Picture On The Surface Of Mars http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA00396
Viking Lander 2 First Picture On The Surface Of Mars
First panoramic view by NASA's Viking 1 from the surface of Mars. The out of focus spacecraft component toward left...
First Panoramic View From The Surface Of Mars
Viking Lander 1 U.S. Flag on Mars Surface
Viking Lander 1 U.S. Flag on Mars Surface
Viking 2 Image of Mars Utopian Plain
Viking 2 Image of Mars Utopian Plain
The flag of the United States stands on the surface of Mars. It is mounted on the housing of NASA's...
The United States Flag Stands On The Surface Of Mars
Martian Sunrise at Utopia Planitia
Martian Sunrise at Utopia Planitia
Sunset at the Viking Lander 1 Site
Sunset at the Viking Lander 1 Site
Ice On Mars
Ice On Mars
Operation of the surface sampler in obtaining Martian soil for NASA's Viking 2 molecular analysis experiment. Dubbed Bonneville Salt Flats,...
Operation of the surface sampler in obtaining Martian soil for NASA Viking 2 molecular analysis experiment. Dubbed Bonneville Salt Flats, the exposure of thin crust appeared unique in contrast with surrounding materials.
The Meteorology Instrument on Viking Lander 1 http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA00392
The Meteorology Instrument on Viking Lander 1
The Target
The Target
Shown here is a digital mosaic of Olympus Mons, the largest known volcano in the Solar System. It is 27...
Olympus Mons
Global Color Views of Mars
Global Color Views of Mars
An oblique, color image of central Valles Marineris, Mars showing relief of Ophir and Candor Chasmata; view toward north. The...
An oblique, color image of central Valles Marineris, Mars showing relief of Ophir and Candor Chasmata; view toward north. The photograph is a composite of Viking high-resolution images in black and white and low-resolution images in color.
This is an artist's conception of the sequence of events that will take place just prior to landing a life-detection...
Line drawing of the Viking orbiter and its labeled components.
Line drawing of the Viking orbiter and its labeled components.
Labeled line drawing of the Viking lander.
Labeled line drawing of the Viking lander.
Viking's orbiter imaging systems helped find safe spots for the landers to come down and later went on to map...
Viking Orbiter Imaging System with components labeled: Infrared Thermal Mapper, TV A, TV B, and Mars Atmospheric Water Detector
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, technicians inspect the Viking Lander 2 in Kennedy's Spacecraft...
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Closeup view shows mated Viking Lander (top) and Orbiter in Kennedy Space Center Spacecraft Assembly...
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The mated orbiter and lander for Viking A were encapsulated within a Centaur shroud at...
The Titan III/Centaur, Viking 1, is sitting on the launch pad ready for blast off. The launch occurred on August...
The Titan III-Centaur carrying the Viking 1 Lander lifted off on August 20, 1975. The Viking Lander conducted a detailed...
rocket launching with plumes of smoke undernearth