Abstract
After circling Mars for more than 4 years—taking pictures and making measurements—NASA's Viking Orbiter 1 has almost reached the end of its mission.The orbiter has used nearly all the attitude control gas that keeps its solar panels pointed to the sun and its antenna aimed at the earth. When the gas is exhausted controllers at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, will send radio commands to the spacecraft, ordering it to cease operating, thus ending its long and productive mission. It was originally expected that the gas would be exhausted by July 23±1 week; however, as of August 1 the spacecraft was still in orbit. NASA plans to terminate the mission August 15, even if the orbiter is still functioning at that time. Meanwhile, on the surface of Mars, Viking Lander 1 is programed to operate unattended through 1990, perhaps to be extended to 1994.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
