The Viking Lander’s Design

The Viking Lander, part of NASA’s groundbreaking Viking missions of the 1970s, was the first U.S. spacecraft to successfully land on Mars and carry out long-term science experiments on the surface. This detailed diagram highlights its many components, from its S-band antennas and meteorology sensors to sample inlets for studying Martian soil and searching for signs of life. Viking’s pioneering work paved the way for today’s sophisticated Mars rovers and orbiters.