50 Years on Mars – A Viking Legacy
50 Years on Mars – A Viking Legacy
Wednesday, February 18, 2026 | 6:30-8:30 pm (doors open at 6 pm)
Museum of Flight, Seattle
On July 20, 1976, NASA’s Viking 1 landed on Mars, making it the first U.S. spacecraft to successfully land on the red planet. Part of the historic Viking project, the Lander returned thousands of images, changing everything scientists thought about Mars. The program was successful beyond imagination, with unexpected discoveries and the creation of methods and models still used!
But history is more than scientific achievements, it is also the human and personal moments. As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of this amazing accomplishment, join us for stories, surprises and important lessons, and learn about the unique archive that preserves this body of work. Presented by Rachel Tillman, Founder/Director of The Viking Mars Missions Education & Preservation Project.