Viking Mission to Mars files, 1967-1979
Scope and Contents
NASA’s Viking Mission to Mars included the launch of two spacecraft, Viking 1 and Viking 2, each consisting of an orbiter and a lander. The primary mission objectives were to obtain high resolution images of the Martian surface, characterize the structure and composition of the atmosphere and surface, and search for evidence of life. Known as the Viking Lander Biology Instrument (VLBI), these two landers had three distinct instruments (pyrolytic release (PR), labeled release (LR), and gas exchange (GEX)) that incubated samples of the Martian surface under a number of different environmental conditions to determine if they might contain traces of biological matter. This series includes Levin's research as well as those of his colleagues.
Dates
- Creation: 1967-1979
Creator
- From the Collection: Levin, Gilbert V. (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is housed off-site and requires 48-hours' notice for retrieval. Please contact Special Collections for more information.
Collection is open for use. Some files contain personally identifiable information, and should be reviewed by Special Collections before access is provided.
Biographical / Historical
The VLBI provided no clear evidence for the presence of living microorganisms in soil near the landing sites. Gilbert Levin’s instrument for testing Martian soil samples (called the Labeled Release (LR) experiment) returned inconclusive results, suggesting the possible presence of living organisms on Mars. Despite disagreement and controversy surrounding the findings from this pair of missions, Levin asserted that his experiment indicated extant microbial life on Mars.
Extent
From the Collection: 72.5 Cubic Feet (58 record center cartons)
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections Repository
The Sheridan Libraries
Special Collections
3400 N Charles St
Baltimore MD 21218 USA
specialcollections@lists.jhu.edu