Two Viking spacecraft each consisting of an Orbiter and a Lander are on trajectories toward Mars with arrival dates in June and August 1976. A Visual Imaging Subsystem consisting of two slow-scan television cameras forms part of the scientific payload of each Orbiter. These cameras will be used to evaluate the potential landing sites on Mars and to conduct other scientific investigations of the planet. The camera system described in this paper was subjected to an extensive test and calibration program prior to launch. Based on this calibration and subsequent analyses, absolute photometric accuracies of 8.0% may be achieved. Surface resolution exceeding 100 meters will be achieved from the periapsis portion of the Viking orbits. The inherent geometric accuracies of the Orbiter cameras supersede those of previous planetary missions. The analyses of images acquired during the cruise phase of the mission confirms that the cameras have survived the rigors of launch and are performing in a manner consistent with the prelaunch calibrations.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    The Viking Orbiter Visual Imaging Subsystem


    Contributors:

    Conference:

    Aerospace Sciences Meeting ; 1976 ; Washington, DC


    Publication date :

    1976-01-01


    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




    The Viking Orbiter Visual Imaging Subsystem

    WELLMAN, J. / LANDAUER, F. / NORRIS, D. et al. | AIAA | 1976


    The Viking Orbiter Visual Imaging Subsystem

    John B. Wellman / Frederick P. Landauer / David D. Norris et al. | AIAA | 1976