The 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.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    The Viking Orbiter and its Mariner inheritance


    Contributors:

    Conference:

    Technology today for tomorrow; Twelfth Space Congress ; 1975 ; Cocoa Beach, FL


    Publication date :

    1975-01-01


    Type of media :

    Miscellaneous


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English





    Viking Orbiter stereophotogrammetry

    Benesh, M. | NTRS | 1978


    Viking Orbiter Stereo Imaging Catalog

    K. R. Blasius / A. V. Vertrone / B. H. Lewis et al. | NTIS | 1982


    Viking orbiter attitude control analysis

    Rodriguez, G. | NTRS | 1977


    Viking orbiter stereo imaging catalog

    Blasius, K. R. / Vertrone, A. V. / Lewis, B. H. et al. | NTRS | 1982