The Viking Orbiter and its Mariner inheritanceThe orbiter system of the Viking spacecraft performs the functions of transporting the lander into orbit around Mars, surveying the proposed landing sites, relaying lander data to earth, and conducting independent scientific observations of Mars. The orbiter system is a semiautomatic, solar-powered, triaxially stabilized platform capable of making trajectory corrections and communicating with earth on S-band. Its instruments for visual imaging, detecting water vapor, and thermal mapping are mounted on a separate two-degree-of-freedom scan platform. Radio science is conducted at three frequencies, using the main S-band system, a separate X-band derived from the S-band, and the UHF one-way link with the lander.
Document ID
19750056549
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Wolfe, A. E.
Norris, H. W. (California Institute of Technology, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena Calif., United States)
Date Acquired
August 8, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1975
Subject Category
Launch Vehicles And Space Vehicles
Meeting Information
Meeting: Technology today for tomorrow; Twelfth Space Congress