Questions tagged [viking]
Questions regarding the unmanned Viking Mars probes launched by NASA.
14
questions
6
votes
1
answer
186
views
Viking 1 - Cydonia Face on Mars Photograph Multitudinal Black Dots
The "Face on Mars" photograph taken by Viking 1 in 1976 of the Cydonia region on Mars has multitudinal similar sized small dots in a seemingly random pattern all over it. Are all those dots ...
- 12k
-7
votes
3
answers
397
views
Why do the Mars pictures sent by Viking 2 and the Chinese Lander show quite different landscapes of the same Utopia Planitia? [duplicate]
The photos transmitted by the Viking 2 lander and those taken by the Chinese rover show quite different landscapes. They do not corroborate each other, also they should look similar, as long as they ...
- 983
2
votes
1
answer
114
views
Why wasn't there a 2nd attempt for the Viking-DS (VDS) test payload before the real Viking 1 and 2 were launched?
Per Gunter's Space Page for Viking-DS (VDS):
Viking-DS or VDS (Viking Dynamic Simulator) was a vehicle evaluation payload, which was to represent the dynamic properties of the Viking spacecraft.
It ...
- 149k
2
votes
0
answers
169
views
Why were only three known-negative soil samples used to determine the Viking labeled release experiments' false positive rate?
According to
Levin, Gilbert V., and Patricia Ann Straat. "The case for extant life on Mars and its possible detection by the Viking labeled release experiment." Astrobiology 16.10 (2016): ...
- 1,106
3
votes
1
answer
124
views
Why aren't there any trajectories for the Viking missions in JPL Horizons' database?
Horizons has calculated trajectories for deep space spacecraft, including six objects related to Apollo 8 through 12.
See an (old) list in the currently unanswered question What was Chang'e-2'...
- 149k
8
votes
0
answers
140
views
How often have signs of life been dismissed as abiotic?
Today, there are rumors about an upcoming announcement of the discovery of (non-conclusive) evidence for life on Venus, apparently they detected some phosphorus compound that is not produced by any ...
- 1,106
12
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Viking Lander descent engine design feature
The Viking Lander Terminal Descent Engine (3 per vehicle) was a ~600 lbf monopropellant hydrazine engine with an unusual exhaust system of 18 small nozzles. Multiple sources state that the reason ...
- 172k
2
votes
0
answers
53
views
Parachute characteristics of the Viking mission
I'm looking for the characteristics (diameter, coefficient of drag, altitude and velocity of deployment) of the parachute used by the Viking descent module on Mars.
I found in this document [1] that ...
- 173
2
votes
1
answer
79
views
At what altitude(s) were the Viking BLDT rockets fired?
I'm trying to understand the details of the 1972 Viking BLDT test missions (in earth's atmosphere). I found this diagram in a book and the general description that the (four) BLDT (balloon drop) tests ...
- 173
5
votes
1
answer
203
views
How to find the moment of inertia of the Viking capsule?
I have an assignment where I have to simulate a Mars re-entry using the Viking capsule. I have finished it but now I want to go further and try to make my capsule glide. For this I need to enslave the ...
- 173
1
vote
1
answer
250
views
Which Viking-1 orbiter photo is this? When was it taken and what part of Mars is shown?
This answer to Are there any photos of the Martian terminator from low Mars orbit? includes (without credit) what looks like an oft-repeated photo of Mars. A comment written from reverse image ...
- 149k
6
votes
1
answer
299
views
Why are Viking LR results not sufficient evidence of life on Mars?
Gil Levin, one of the scientists involved with the 1976 Viking mission to Mars, has claimed and continues to claim that there is life on Mars, based off the positive results of the Labeled Release (LR)...
- 61
21
votes
1
answer
2k
views
What was the purpose of the small red tank attached to the Titan-Centaur launcher?
Watching a documentary on the Viking missions, I noticed the launcher had a small red tank/rocket attached to one of the solid boosters. It struck me as an odd feature/placement, as I thought you'd ...
- 525
6
votes
1
answer
1k
views
What happened to the Viking 2 Orbiter?
What was the ultimate fate of the Viking 2 Orbiter? According to NASA:
The orbiter developed a leak in its propulsion system that vented its attitude control gas. It was placed in a 302 x 33176 km ...
- 5,606