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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Viking Lander 1

Re-entered 21 Aug 1975

Viking Lander 1 (NORAD 9024, COSPAR 1975-075C) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 21 Aug 1975, launched on 20 Aug 1975 on the Viking Orbiter 1 mission. It was operated by LARCN as part of the Viking programme. The spacecraft was built by MMD on the Viking Lander bus, with a mass of 685 kg. Like most satellites in low orbits, it was gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until re-entry. Historical record from Orbital Radar's satellite archive, cross-referenced with the live satellite catalogue.

1975
launched
1975
re-entered
0
years on orbit
685
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched20 Aug 1975 · on the Viking Orbiter 1 mission
Operational13 Nov 1982 · entered service
Retired13 Nov 1982 · end of operational service
Re-entered21 Aug 1975 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID9024
COSPAR1975-075C
TypeSatellite
OperatorLARCN
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerMMD
BusViking Lander
Mass685 kg (590 kg dry)
ProgrammeViking
CategoryPLAN
OrbitHEO (EEO)
Altitude183 × -50,629 km
Inclination29.3°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Viking Lander 1?

Viking Lander 1 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 21 Aug 1975, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1975. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Viking Lander 1 re-enter the atmosphere?

Viking Lander 1 re-entered on 21 Aug 1975, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Viking Lander 1?

Viking Lander 1 was operated by LARCN and built by MMD (US).

Launched together

Viking Orbiter 1Re-entered 1975
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.