Viking 2: the story
Viking 2 · Chapter 1 of 7
9 September 1975
Launch
Viking 2 left Earth on a Titan IIIE-Centaur from Launch Complex 41.
Viking 2 · Chapter 2 of 7
3 September 1976
Arrival
Parachute and retro-rockets at Utopia Planitia.
Viking 2 · Chapter 3 of 7
1975
Viking A
Built to launch first, it was swapped because of a battery problem and flew second, as Viking 2.
Viking 2 · Chapter 4 of 7
3 September 1976
Utopia Planitia
It landed about 6,460 km from Viking 1, on a rockier and flatter plain, tilted 8.5 degrees.
Viking 2 · Chapter 5 of 7
1976
A different Mars
Its first colour picture showed a field of rocks stretching to a flat horizon.
Viking 2 · Chapter 6 of 7
2001
Gerald Soffen Memorial Station
The lander was renamed for Viking's project scientist. It was later imaged from orbit by HiRISE.
Viking 2 · Chapter 7 of 7
11 April 1980
Last signal
Its batteries failed in April 1980 and Viking 2 fell silent.
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Pathfinder & Sojourner →Back to Viking 2