MISSION · National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Viking 1
Viking 1 was the first successful U.S. mission to land and operate on Mars, combining a long-lived orbiter with a pioneering surface laboratory.
Date20 August 1975 – 13 November 1982
AgencyNational Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
MissionViking 1
SEE ALSO →Viking 1
◉ REAL PHOTOGRAPH · NASA / images.nasa.govFig. 1 — Viking 1 sunset
Contents
living encyclopedia entry4
sections
5
images
4
sources
2
links
updated · 13 Jul 2026#NASA#Viking#Mars
Viking 1 delivered the first U.S. lander to Mars and operated there for more than six years. Its cameras, weather instruments and biology experiments gave humanity its first detailed view of a Martian landing site.
MISSION TIMELINE
4 chapters · click for the full account
a complete day-by-day guide to the mission
1
Launch and cruise
Viking 1 launched toward Mars.
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2
Landing at Chryse Planitia
Viking 1 landed safely at Chryse Planitia.
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3
A laboratory on Mars
Viking 1 studied soil, weather and landscape.
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4
A long-lived pioneer
Viking 1 greatly outlasted its planned mission.
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FACTS
- First successful U.S. Mars landing.
- Lander operated for more than six years.
- Returned the first detailed color surface images.
- Searched for signs of microbial life.
GALLERY
5 images · click to zoomSOURCES & FURTHER READINGlast verified · 13 July 2026
◉ NASA photography — public domain✦ AI illustration — marked, generated from sourcesarticle text — CC-BY-SA
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