Viking

Viking was a pair of NASA spacecraft, Viking 1 and Viking 2, launched in 1975 to explore Mars. Each mission consisted of an orbiter and a lander, with the landers performing the first successful soft landings on the Martian surface.

Why it’s in the news: It is in the news because it has been 50 years since the Viking 1 lander's historic touchdown on Mars.

Latest on Viking

• On this day in space! Aug. 7, 1980: NASA's Viking 1 Mars orbiter shuts down 4 years into a 90-day mission
• This Week In Space LIVE: The Viking Mars landings 50 years later
• Viking 1 landed on Mars 50 years ago
• 50 years after Viking 1's historic Mars landing, NASA is looking to the Red Planet's skies
• Did Viking 1 find life on Mars 50 years ago? Here's why the debate continues
• Norway embrace Viking pride on fairytale World Cup return

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