Viking 1

High school (ages 12+)
Space & Astronomy

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/viking-1

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the spacecraft configuration?Orbiter and Lander
2. What is the launch date?August 20, 1975
3. What was Viking 1 and why was it special?Viking 1 was the first robot to land on Mars, sending back amazing pictures and data. It was NASA's first successful Mars lander.
4. When did Viking 1 land on Mars and how long did it stay?It landed on July 20, 1976, and worked on the Martian surface for 2,307 Earth days, about 2,245 Martian days.

Astrobiology: The scientific study of the origin, evolution, distribution, and future of life in the universe.
In-situ: In its original place; on site. Refers to measurements or experiments performed at the location of the sample.
Organic Molecules: Molecules containing carbon, which are the building blocks of life as we know it.