2026-244Latest orbital launch: Falcon 9 · Starlink Group 15-16 · Oct 27, 2026 · VandenbergLaunch record →
sci-techmaventhe history of spaceflight, in data
sci-techmaven
Launch logAdvertise
  1. Home
  2. Spacecraft
  3. Viking 2 Lander
// deep space · 1975

Viking 2 Lander

Mars lander deployed by the Viking 2 spacecraft. Viking 2 Lander was launched on September 9, 1975 aboard a Titan IIIE from Cape Canaveral & Kennedy. Latest status in GCAT: left for deep space attached to another object (Sep 10, 1975).

COSPAR 1975-083CNORAD 9408United States

Identity

Name in GCAT
Viking Lander 2
Common name
Viking 2 Lander
International designator
1975-083C
NORAD catalog number
9408
GCAT identifier
S09408
UN registration
A/AC.105/INF.353

Mission

Mission type
Deep space
Use
Civil government
Program
Viking
Country
United States
Builder
Martin Marietta/Denver
Platform (bus)
Viking Lander

Launch

Date
September 9, 1975 · 18:39 UTC
Launch record
1975-083Success
Spaceport
Cape Canaveral & Kennedy · pad LC41

Orbit and fate

Orbit class (GCAT)
EEO
Perigee
178 km
Inclination
29.30°
Status
Left for deep space attached to another object
Status date
September 10, 1975
Last known active
Apr 12, 1980
End of operations
Apr 12, 1980

Size

Mass
685 kg
Dry mass
590 kg
Total mass with attached objects
1,191 kg
Length
1.0 m
Diameter
2.80 m
Span
2.8 m

Deep space

Deep-space catalog entry
D00552
Final central body
Mars
Phase start
August 2, 1976
Phase outcome
Released · September 3, 1976

Flight phases

FromCentral bodyEndedOutcomeNext
Sep 10, 1975EarthSep 14, 1975Escaped to another body, attachedHCO
Sep 3, 1976MarsSep 3, 1976LandedMars
Sep 3, 1976MarsApr 12, 1980Stopped transmitting on the surfaceMars
Sep 3, 1976MarsApr 12, 1980Stopped transmitting on the surfaceMars
Apr 12, 1980MarsJul 20, 2001RenamedMars
Jul 20, 2001MarsJul 20, 2001Stopped transmitting on the surfaceMars

Source: GCAT payload, deep-space and lander catalogs, Jonathan C. McDowell (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata Q48834952 (CC0).