Viking 1 Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator on Mars

Viking 1 Lander image of Chryse Planitia looking over the lander. The large white object at lower left and center, with the American flag on the side, is the Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (RTG) cover. The high-gain S-band antenna is at upper right. The view, from 22 N, 50 W, is to the northwest. Chryse Planitia is a wide, low plain covered with large rocks and loose sand and dust. The image was taken on Aug. 30, 1976, a little over a month after landing.