Right now within the historical past of astronomy, a spacecraft makes the primary profitable Mars touchdown.
Viking 1 returned this, the primary picture from the floor of Mars, shortly after touchdown. Credit score: NASA/JPL-Caltech
- Viking 1 was the primary spacecraft to efficiently land on Mars and ship again information.
- Viking 1’s orbiter helped select the lander’s touchdown website.
- Each the orbiter and lander despatched again details about Mars’ floor and environment.
- The mission looked for indicators of life on Mars.
Viking 1 landed on Mars on July 20, 1976, the primary spacecraft to take action and efficiently return information. (The Soviet Mars 3 lander had touched down in 1971, however contact was reduce off earlier than any information may very well be acquired.) The 2 Viking spacecrafts have been designed to be each orbiters and landers; the orbiter’s main objective was to ship again pictures to assist scientists choose the precise spot on the floor for its touchdown. Viking 1 entered orbit on June 19, 1976, sending again pictures of the tough terrain of the Chryse area that prompted NASA to decide on a brand new touchdown website on Chryse Planitia. The orbiter continued to perform for an extra 4 years, whereas the lander operated till November 1982, each returning details about the Pink Planet that may very well be used to characterize its floor and environment and seek for life.
