U.S. Seeks Global Cooperation on Outer Space
The Obama administration as early as Monday is expected to call for significantly greater international cooperation than ever before in outer space, covering a wide range of civilian and military programs.
The new policy, according to industry and government officials familiar with the details, also envisions stepped-up U.S. government efforts to bolster domestic rocket and satellite manufacturers, making them more economically viable and competitive overseas.
The principles, according to these officials, reflect President Barack Obama's desire to have Washington and various foreign governments increasingly share funding and expertise on major projects, while exchanging more data about orbiting debris and other hazards in space.
Breaking sharply from earlier White House policies that relied largely on all-U.S. solutions, the latest document envisions international ventures spanning everything from environmental and other types of earth-observation satellites to critical space-based navigation systems previously considered off-limits to foreign partnerships.
For the first time, Mr. Obama's space and national-security advisers have opened the door to possible international cooperation on the existing Global Positioning System, or GPS, satellite constellation.
Faced with mounting GPS program costs and escalating demands to transfer dollars from Pentagon space accounts to other U.S. defense programs, Air Force officials have been quietly mulling postponing some GPS satellite launches, according to people familiar with the details. The new policy, one Obama administration official said over the weekend, allows foreign navigation satellites "to augment but not replace" GPS capabilities. Europe is currently building its own independent navigation system, while Russian officials have talked about improving their rival system and perhaps teaming up with a foreign partner.
Months overdue, the policy document also aims to better coordinate the sprawling web of military, spy, and scientific satellite projects, along with NASA's manned and unmanned space exploration efforts.
Though many of the Pentagon's satellite programs are classified and show up primarily in so-called "black" intelligence budgets, by some estimates the U.S. government spends more than $100 billion a year on the full gamut of space endeavors. A series of high-level reports and studies over the years has criticized duplication and urged program and agency consolidations.
Monday's announcement is expected to steer clear of recommending specific bureaucratic shakeups. Rather, the policy paper presents a high-level, long-range view of ways to foster greater innovation among U.S. space companies, making make them more competitive globally.
As congestion increases in orbit and satellites become more vulnerable to collisions, interference and possible hostile acts, the policy also aims to harness military and commercial fleets to collaborate in providing better space situation awareness. Some of the points were first reported by Space News, an industry publication
It may be too late, however, to coordinate some important issues. The White House five months ago proposed that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration outsource some of its core functions to private space-transportation companies. The concept was developed without the benefit of a comprehensive and updated government-wide space policy.
Some Air Force officials complained at the time that they weren't consulted about NASA's revised priorities. Since then, Pentagon brass have agreed to support proposed NASA changes. That's partly because the Air Force stands to benefit from a total of roughly $2 billon in NASA funds the White House wants to shift to develop enhanced military rocket engines and for launch-site improvements in Florida.
The latest principles differ markedly from those announced four years ago under then-President George W. Bush. The 2006 policy rejected future diplomatic agreements that could limit U.S. flexibility in space, and asserted the right to punish any space entity deemed "hostile to U.S. interests." President Bush also stressed "assured access" to space on U.S. boosters. And he projected that by 2010, the Pentagon might be willing to choose a single heavy-lift rocket design.
The Bush plan sparked controversy on Capitol Hill and elsewhere by unilaterally rejecting arms control or international treaties outlawing offensive as well as defensive weapons in space.
The latest policy shifts stress cooperation across national borders. And now, the White House doesn't seek to identify a preferred rocket option, according to people familiar with the details.
Gen. Robert Kehler, the head of U.S. Space Command, made it clear earlier this year that the Pentagon wasn't ready to choose between its Atlas V and Delta IV launch systems. "We want to make sure we don't go off the track," he said, by prematurely selecting a single type of rocket. Both families of rockets are manufactured and launched by a joint venture between Boeing Co. and Lockheed Martin Corp.
Gen. Kehler also told journalists in April at a government-industry conference in Colorado that "we want to foster the growth of commercial activities" in space.
The White House is still waiting for completion of other military studies of U.S. space capabilities and vulnerabilities. The Pentagon's space ambitions are partly stalled due to budget pressures, which already have killed or curtailed proposed acquisition of some big-ticket satellite projects. Congressional opposition also has stalled NASA's proposed spending and strategic priorities.
The current White Hose stance on space security stresses the importance of all countries retaining free and undisputed access to space. Some industry official and outside policy analysts said the latest policy changes could set the stage for the White House to eventually embrace the concept of a global treaty barring deployment or use of weapons in space.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
What Happened in Space News June 27
NEAR - USA Asteroid Orbiter - 805 Kg was launched on February 17, 1996. After its launch, it was renamed NEAR Shoemaker in honor of planetary scientist Eugene M. Shoemaker.
The main scientific purpose of NEAR (Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous) was to orbit near-Earth asteroid 433 Eros.
The spacecraft studied the asteroid for one year after entering orbit in February 1999. NEAR imaged Comet Hyakutake in March 1996 and flew within 1,200 kilometers of asteroid 253 Mathilde on June 27, 1997.
On July 3, 1997 NEAR executed the first major deep space maneuver, a two-part burn of the main 450 N thruster. The Earth gravity assist swingby occurred on January 23, 1998 at 7:23 UT. The closest approach was 540 km, altering the orbital inclination from 0.5 to 10.2 degrees, and the aphelion distance from 2.17 to 1.77 AU, nearly matching those of Eros. Instrumentation was active at this time.
This was the first of NASA's Discovery missions.
The main scientific purpose of NEAR (Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous) was to orbit near-Earth asteroid 433 Eros.
The spacecraft studied the asteroid for one year after entering orbit in February 1999. NEAR imaged Comet Hyakutake in March 1996 and flew within 1,200 kilometers of asteroid 253 Mathilde on June 27, 1997.
On July 3, 1997 NEAR executed the first major deep space maneuver, a two-part burn of the main 450 N thruster. The Earth gravity assist swingby occurred on January 23, 1998 at 7:23 UT. The closest approach was 540 km, altering the orbital inclination from 0.5 to 10.2 degrees, and the aphelion distance from 2.17 to 1.77 AU, nearly matching those of Eros. Instrumentation was active at this time.
This was the first of NASA's Discovery missions.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
NASA may delay dates of final space shuttle flights
NASA may delay dates of final space shuttle flights
CAPE CANAVERAL — NASA is considering new target launch dates for its last two scheduled shuttle missions to give engineers more time to prepare equipment for the International Space Station and avoid heavy traffic around the outpost.
--Launch of Discovery carrying a station warehouse module would be targeted for Oct. 29.
--Endeavour would aim for liftoff on Feb. 28.
Senior managers are expected to approve the new dates at a meeting on July 1.
The Oct. 29 date for Discovery would give engineers more time to load a modified Italian cargo carrier with as much gear as possible before Discovery blasts off.
"It gives them a longer period of time to certify more equipment to fly on that mission," NASA spokesman Kyle Herring said Tuesday.
"It makes better sense for the station program so they can load up as much equipment as possible before launch."
NASA is modifying a cylindrical cargo carrier dubbed Leonardo to take up permanent residence at the station.
Originally designed for short rather than long stays at the station, the module is being equipped with additional orbital-debris shielding. Some of its systems are being upgraded for long-term duty on the outpost.
It also will enable engineers to complete work on equipment that would not have been ready for a Sept. 16 launch. Among that gear: "Robonaut," an American android designed to do work outside the outpost.
The expected delay in the Discovery mission will bump Endeavour back behind a period of heavy traffic at the station.
A Russian Soyuz crew transport will be flying back to Earth and robotic space freighters from Russia, Europe and Japan will be flying up to the station during December and January.
The sun angle on the station during much of January and February also will be such that the outpost could not generate enough energy or dispel enough heat to support a docked shuttle mission.
So Feb. 28 would be the first available target date for Endeavour.
NASA is deferring until August a decision on whether Atlantis would fly one last supply run to the station next June.
Atlantis and an external tank, solid rocket booster stack will be readied for launch on a rescue mission should Endeavour sustain critical damage on NASA's last currently scheduled shuttle mission.
NASA and supporters in Congress are lobbying to launch Atlantis on an additional station-outfitting mission before the shuttle fleet is retired.
CAPE CANAVERAL — NASA is considering new target launch dates for its last two scheduled shuttle missions to give engineers more time to prepare equipment for the International Space Station and avoid heavy traffic around the outpost.
--Launch of Discovery carrying a station warehouse module would be targeted for Oct. 29.
--Endeavour would aim for liftoff on Feb. 28.
Senior managers are expected to approve the new dates at a meeting on July 1.
The Oct. 29 date for Discovery would give engineers more time to load a modified Italian cargo carrier with as much gear as possible before Discovery blasts off.
"It gives them a longer period of time to certify more equipment to fly on that mission," NASA spokesman Kyle Herring said Tuesday.
"It makes better sense for the station program so they can load up as much equipment as possible before launch."
NASA is modifying a cylindrical cargo carrier dubbed Leonardo to take up permanent residence at the station.
Originally designed for short rather than long stays at the station, the module is being equipped with additional orbital-debris shielding. Some of its systems are being upgraded for long-term duty on the outpost.
It also will enable engineers to complete work on equipment that would not have been ready for a Sept. 16 launch. Among that gear: "Robonaut," an American android designed to do work outside the outpost.
The expected delay in the Discovery mission will bump Endeavour back behind a period of heavy traffic at the station.
A Russian Soyuz crew transport will be flying back to Earth and robotic space freighters from Russia, Europe and Japan will be flying up to the station during December and January.
The sun angle on the station during much of January and February also will be such that the outpost could not generate enough energy or dispel enough heat to support a docked shuttle mission.
So Feb. 28 would be the first available target date for Endeavour.
NASA is deferring until August a decision on whether Atlantis would fly one last supply run to the station next June.
Atlantis and an external tank, solid rocket booster stack will be readied for launch on a rescue mission should Endeavour sustain critical damage on NASA's last currently scheduled shuttle mission.
NASA and supporters in Congress are lobbying to launch Atlantis on an additional station-outfitting mission before the shuttle fleet is retired.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
STS-131 crew visits Marshall Space Flight Center
STS-131 crew visits Marshall Space Flight Center
HUNTSVILLE, AL. - With only two shuttle missions to the International Space Station remaining till the retirement of NASA's three current spacecrafts - Atlantis, Endeavour and Discovery - Tuesday's visit to Marshall Space Flight Center to recap highlights from their April flight was bittersweet experience for the crew of STS-131.
"It felt like we were reaching the peak of its (NASA's space shuttle program) capability, but all good things come to an end," STS-131 Commander Alan Poindexter said during a question-and-answer session with high school students.
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"The other viewpoint is that we need to look back at what was done with the shuttle throughout the years, including what we have learned and these magnificent achievements from Hubble to the construction of ISS.
"We all will be sad to see it go, but we are looking forward to the next platform and keeping human beings flying in space," Poindexter said.
The purpose of the 13-day mission aboard space shuttle Discovery, which will have its final flight in September, was to transport 3,800-pounds of cargo from "Leonardo," a multi-purpose logistics module that's housed in Discovery's payload bay.
The crew also performed three challenging spacewalks - exchanging a gyroscope on the truss of the station, installing a spare ammonia storage tank and retrieving a Japanese experiment, Poindexter said.
Attending the briefing with Poindexter was pilot Jim Dutton and mission specialists Rick Mastracchio and Stephanie Wilson. Other members of the seven-person crew included mission specialists Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger, Clay Anderson and Japanese astronaut Naoko Yamazaki, also a mission specialist.
Wilson said there's still work left to do aboard the station, but the final two missions will be devoted to those tasks.
"Leonardo will permanently be housed on ISS and the experiment racks will be repositioned," said Wilson, who is a veteran of two spaceflights. "Remaining mission details and spacewalks are still being worked out."
HUNTSVILLE, AL. - With only two shuttle missions to the International Space Station remaining till the retirement of NASA's three current spacecrafts - Atlantis, Endeavour and Discovery - Tuesday's visit to Marshall Space Flight Center to recap highlights from their April flight was bittersweet experience for the crew of STS-131.
"It felt like we were reaching the peak of its (NASA's space shuttle program) capability, but all good things come to an end," STS-131 Commander Alan Poindexter said during a question-and-answer session with high school students.
3
0
Share
"The other viewpoint is that we need to look back at what was done with the shuttle throughout the years, including what we have learned and these magnificent achievements from Hubble to the construction of ISS.
"We all will be sad to see it go, but we are looking forward to the next platform and keeping human beings flying in space," Poindexter said.
The purpose of the 13-day mission aboard space shuttle Discovery, which will have its final flight in September, was to transport 3,800-pounds of cargo from "Leonardo," a multi-purpose logistics module that's housed in Discovery's payload bay.
The crew also performed three challenging spacewalks - exchanging a gyroscope on the truss of the station, installing a spare ammonia storage tank and retrieving a Japanese experiment, Poindexter said.
Attending the briefing with Poindexter was pilot Jim Dutton and mission specialists Rick Mastracchio and Stephanie Wilson. Other members of the seven-person crew included mission specialists Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger, Clay Anderson and Japanese astronaut Naoko Yamazaki, also a mission specialist.
Wilson said there's still work left to do aboard the station, but the final two missions will be devoted to those tasks.
"Leonardo will permanently be housed on ISS and the experiment racks will be repositioned," said Wilson, who is a veteran of two spaceflights. "Remaining mission details and spacewalks are still being worked out."
Monday, June 21, 2010
John Glenn: Keep space shuttles flying
John Glenn: Keep space shuttles flying
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Mercury astronaut John Glenn wants NASA's space shuttles to keep flying until a reliable replacement is ready, no matter how long it takes.
Glenn joined the national debate Monday over America's future in space and became the latest ex-astronaut to speak out on the matter. He issued a nine-page statement in which he questioned the decision to retire the shuttle fleet and rely on Russia to take astronauts to the International Space Station.
"We have a vehicle here, why throw it away? It's working well," the first American to orbit Earth said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press.
Glenn said he's against paying the Russians $55.8 million per person to fly U.S. astronauts to the space station and back. That's the price for a single ticket starting in 2013; right now, it's costing NASA $26.3 million and will jump to $51 million next year.
Glenn doesn't believe the general public realizes what's happening on the space front.
"Going to Russia and being, in effect, under control of Russia for our space program just doesn't sit right with me and I don't think it sits well with the American people, or won't, either," said Glenn, a former U.S. senator who rode the shuttle into orbit in 1998 at age 77. He turns 89 next month.
Glenn said little if any money will be saved by canceling the shuttle program, considering all the millions of dollars going to Russia for rocket rides. At least two shuttle flights a year could keep the station going and the work force employed, until something new comes along, he said.
The former astronaut wonders what will happen if there's an accident and Soyuz rockets are grounded. He supposes the space station — a $100 billion investment — would have to be abandoned. He also worries scientific research at the station will take a hit if experiments have to be launched from Russia and have no way of getting back to Earth in bulk.
Only two shuttle missions remain on the official lineup; the second almost certainly will be delayed into early next year. NASA is hoping the White House will add an extra flight next summer before ending the 30-year shuttle program.
Glenn supports President Barack Obama's plan, announced earlier this year, to keep the space station going until 2020 and to give up on a moon base for now. But the original Mercury 7 astronaut said the nation needs a rocketship capable of lifting heavy payloads — whether it's part of NASA's Constellation program or something else — if astronauts are ever to reach asteroids and Mars.
Private companies, meanwhile, interested in carrying astronauts back and forth to the space station need to first prove their capability and reliability, Glenn noted. "I'm very leery of this rush to commercialization," he said.
Glenn — a Democrat — said he waited to go public because he thought "people would see the wisdom" of keeping the shuttle going.
"If we're going to do anything, if has to be done pretty quick," he said.
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Mercury astronaut John Glenn wants NASA's space shuttles to keep flying until a reliable replacement is ready, no matter how long it takes.
Glenn joined the national debate Monday over America's future in space and became the latest ex-astronaut to speak out on the matter. He issued a nine-page statement in which he questioned the decision to retire the shuttle fleet and rely on Russia to take astronauts to the International Space Station.
"We have a vehicle here, why throw it away? It's working well," the first American to orbit Earth said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press.
Glenn said he's against paying the Russians $55.8 million per person to fly U.S. astronauts to the space station and back. That's the price for a single ticket starting in 2013; right now, it's costing NASA $26.3 million and will jump to $51 million next year.
Glenn doesn't believe the general public realizes what's happening on the space front.
"Going to Russia and being, in effect, under control of Russia for our space program just doesn't sit right with me and I don't think it sits well with the American people, or won't, either," said Glenn, a former U.S. senator who rode the shuttle into orbit in 1998 at age 77. He turns 89 next month.
Glenn said little if any money will be saved by canceling the shuttle program, considering all the millions of dollars going to Russia for rocket rides. At least two shuttle flights a year could keep the station going and the work force employed, until something new comes along, he said.
The former astronaut wonders what will happen if there's an accident and Soyuz rockets are grounded. He supposes the space station — a $100 billion investment — would have to be abandoned. He also worries scientific research at the station will take a hit if experiments have to be launched from Russia and have no way of getting back to Earth in bulk.
Only two shuttle missions remain on the official lineup; the second almost certainly will be delayed into early next year. NASA is hoping the White House will add an extra flight next summer before ending the 30-year shuttle program.
Glenn supports President Barack Obama's plan, announced earlier this year, to keep the space station going until 2020 and to give up on a moon base for now. But the original Mercury 7 astronaut said the nation needs a rocketship capable of lifting heavy payloads — whether it's part of NASA's Constellation program or something else — if astronauts are ever to reach asteroids and Mars.
Private companies, meanwhile, interested in carrying astronauts back and forth to the space station need to first prove their capability and reliability, Glenn noted. "I'm very leery of this rush to commercialization," he said.
Glenn — a Democrat — said he waited to go public because he thought "people would see the wisdom" of keeping the shuttle going.
"If we're going to do anything, if has to be done pretty quick," he said.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Russian capsule carrying 3 docks at space station
News from June 17: Russian capsule carrying 3 docks at space station
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — The International Space Station received three new residents with Thursday's arrival of a Russian capsule, doubling the size of its female crew to an all-time high.
NASA, meanwhile, was keeping close watch on three pieces of space junk that could come uncomfortably close to the orbiting outpost this weekend. They are old Russian and Chinese satellite and rocket parts.
The Soyuz spacecraft — launched two days earlier from Kazakhstan — docked at the orbiting outpost as the vessels zoomed 220 miles above the Atlantic near Argentina.
It's NASA's method of getting U.S. astronauts to and from the space station for lengthy missions, and will become the only means of getting people there, period, once the shuttles stop flying late this year or next. Private companies like Space Exploration Technologies, which successfully launched a test rocket into orbit from Cape Canaveral two weeks ago, hope to pick up the slack.
Russian space officials said the docking went exactly as planned and demonstrated the reliability of the Soyuz.
The early evening arrival of the latest Soyuz means there are now two women living full time at the space station for the first time ever. No previous space station ever had two female residents at the same time, so the docking marked a historic first.
Shannon Walker, a physicist from Houston, joins Tracy Caldwell Dyson, a California-born chemist on board the space station since April. Walker took Amelia Earhart's watch into orbit. Four men also are on board now: three Russians and one American. Each will stay for six months and return via a Soyuz.
All six took part in a group hug once the hatches swung open, then accepted a stream of congratulations from space agency managers, families and friends gathered in Russia's Mission Control outside Moscow. Nine minutes into the back-and-forth radio conversation, a Russian official urged, "OK, the best half of ISS, would you like to say something? Because only men are talking."
When reminded that Walker had already talked — though briefly — the official said: "Well, if there is nobody else, try to find a third woman if you have one up there."
Wednesday, by coincidence, marked the 47th anniversary of the launch of the first spacewoman, Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova.
And Friday is the 27th anniversary of the launch of America's first woman in space, Sally Ride.
Four women were at the space station in April, but only for 1 1/2 weeks. Three of them were brief shuttle visitors.
NASA wants to re-evaluate the orbit of the space station Friday — taking into account any changes as a result of the Soyuz docking — before deciding whether to move the outpost away from three pieces of worrisome space junk.
Mission managers decided there was no need to dodge a fourth piece of junk, which was expected to pass the station at a safe distance early Friday. That, too, was a chunk of an old Russian satellite.
Arriving with Walker was American Douglas Wheelock and Russian Fyodor Yurchikhin, both of whom visited the space station before. Walker is making her first spaceflight ever; she is married to NASA astronaut Andrew Thomas.
Her mother, Sherry Walker, watched the docking from Russia's Mission Control.
"I can see the big grin on your face," Sherry Walker radioed, "so I know you're having a good time."
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — The International Space Station received three new residents with Thursday's arrival of a Russian capsule, doubling the size of its female crew to an all-time high.
NASA, meanwhile, was keeping close watch on three pieces of space junk that could come uncomfortably close to the orbiting outpost this weekend. They are old Russian and Chinese satellite and rocket parts.
The Soyuz spacecraft — launched two days earlier from Kazakhstan — docked at the orbiting outpost as the vessels zoomed 220 miles above the Atlantic near Argentina.
It's NASA's method of getting U.S. astronauts to and from the space station for lengthy missions, and will become the only means of getting people there, period, once the shuttles stop flying late this year or next. Private companies like Space Exploration Technologies, which successfully launched a test rocket into orbit from Cape Canaveral two weeks ago, hope to pick up the slack.
Russian space officials said the docking went exactly as planned and demonstrated the reliability of the Soyuz.
The early evening arrival of the latest Soyuz means there are now two women living full time at the space station for the first time ever. No previous space station ever had two female residents at the same time, so the docking marked a historic first.
Shannon Walker, a physicist from Houston, joins Tracy Caldwell Dyson, a California-born chemist on board the space station since April. Walker took Amelia Earhart's watch into orbit. Four men also are on board now: three Russians and one American. Each will stay for six months and return via a Soyuz.
All six took part in a group hug once the hatches swung open, then accepted a stream of congratulations from space agency managers, families and friends gathered in Russia's Mission Control outside Moscow. Nine minutes into the back-and-forth radio conversation, a Russian official urged, "OK, the best half of ISS, would you like to say something? Because only men are talking."
When reminded that Walker had already talked — though briefly — the official said: "Well, if there is nobody else, try to find a third woman if you have one up there."
Wednesday, by coincidence, marked the 47th anniversary of the launch of the first spacewoman, Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova.
And Friday is the 27th anniversary of the launch of America's first woman in space, Sally Ride.
Four women were at the space station in April, but only for 1 1/2 weeks. Three of them were brief shuttle visitors.
NASA wants to re-evaluate the orbit of the space station Friday — taking into account any changes as a result of the Soyuz docking — before deciding whether to move the outpost away from three pieces of worrisome space junk.
Mission managers decided there was no need to dodge a fourth piece of junk, which was expected to pass the station at a safe distance early Friday. That, too, was a chunk of an old Russian satellite.
Arriving with Walker was American Douglas Wheelock and Russian Fyodor Yurchikhin, both of whom visited the space station before. Walker is making her first spaceflight ever; she is married to NASA astronaut Andrew Thomas.
Her mother, Sherry Walker, watched the docking from Russia's Mission Control.
"I can see the big grin on your face," Sherry Walker radioed, "so I know you're having a good time."
Saturday, June 19, 2010
What Happened in Space News June 19
Viking 1 - USA Mars Orbiter/Lander - 3,399 kg was launched on August 20, 1975.
Both Viking 1 and 2 were designed after the Mariner spacecraft, and consisted of an orbiter (900 kg) and lander (600 kg).
Viking 1 went into orbit about Mars on June 19, 1976. The lander touched down on July 20, 1976 on the western slopes of Chryse Planitia.
Both landers had experiments to search for Martian micro-organism. The results of these experiments are still being debated. The landers provided detailed color panoramic views of the Martian terrain. They also monitored the Martian weather. The orbiters mapped the planet's surface, acquiring over 52,000 images.
The Viking 1 orbiter was deactivate on August 7, 1980 when it ran out of altitude-control propellant.
The Viking 1 lander was accidentally shut down on November 13, 1982, and communication was never regained.
Both Viking 1 and 2 were designed after the Mariner spacecraft, and consisted of an orbiter (900 kg) and lander (600 kg).
Viking 1 went into orbit about Mars on June 19, 1976. The lander touched down on July 20, 1976 on the western slopes of Chryse Planitia.
Both landers had experiments to search for Martian micro-organism. The results of these experiments are still being debated. The landers provided detailed color panoramic views of the Martian terrain. They also monitored the Martian weather. The orbiters mapped the planet's surface, acquiring over 52,000 images.
The Viking 1 orbiter was deactivate on August 7, 1980 when it ran out of altitude-control propellant.
The Viking 1 lander was accidentally shut down on November 13, 1982, and communication was never regained.
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