NASA Viking at 40 Symposium Lectures

This week NASA hosted the Viking Mars Landers 40th anniversary symposium. In 1976 Viking 1 and 2 were the first landers to successfully land on Mars.
From NASA:

“NASA’s Viking 1 and 2 missions to Mars, each consisting of an orbiter and a lander, became the first space probes to obtain high resolution images of the Martian surface; characterize the structure and composition of the atmosphere and surface; and conduct on-the-spot biological tests for life on another planet.”

“Viking provided the first measurements of the atmosphere and surface of Mars. These measurements are still being analyzed and interpreted. The data suggested early Mars was very different from the present day planet. Viking performed the first successful entry, descent and landing on Mars. Derivations of a Viking-style thermal protection system and parachute have been used on many U.S. Mars lander missions since.”

Below are the lectures marking the 40th anniversary and go into detail about the history and science of the Viking program.

Viking 40th Anniversary Introduction

Viking at 40: History Panel

A panel of experts discussed the historic Viking mission on Tuesday, July 19 at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. Panel speakers included Bill Barry, moderator, NASA Chief Historian, Roger Launius, Associate Director for Collections and Curatorial Affairs, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution, Erik Conway, Historian, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and Glenn Bugos, Historian, NASA’s Ames Research Center.

Viking at 40: Exploration of Mars with NASA’s Chief Scientist Ellen Stofan

NASA’s Chief Scientist Ellen Stofan delivered the keynote address titled “The Exploration of Mars” at a Viking at 40 Symposium on July 20 at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia.

Viking at 40: Future of Mars Exploration Panel

A capstone panel addressed the future of Mars Exploration at a Viking at 40 Symposium on July 20 at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. Panel speakers included Walt Engelund, Director, Space Technology & Exploration Directorate, NASA Langley Research Center, Panel Chair, Ellen Stofan, NASA Chief Scientist, Steve Jurczyk, Associate Administrator for Space Technology, NASA Headquarters, Greg Williams, Deputy Associate Administrator for Policy & Plans, Human Exploration & Operations Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters, Jim Green, Director Planetary Science Division, NASA Science Mission Directorate, and Melissa Trainer, NASA Goddard Spaceflight Center.