Viking 1 Early Results NASA Publication SP-408 1976 Mars Exploration Free Ship

Description

Viking 1 Early Results NASA Publication SP-408
1976
Minor cover wear, interior pages are perfect.
Staples firmly holding the 67 pages.
Staple bound paperback.
1976.
A brief outline of the Viking 1 mission to Mars is followed by descriptions of the Martian landing site and the scientific instrumentation aboard Viking 1 orbiter and lander. Measurements of the Martian atmosphere provided data on its molecular composition, temperature and pressure. The detection of nitrogen in the Martian atmosphere indicates the existence of life. Panoramic photographs of the Martian surface were also obtained and are shown. Preliminary chemical and biological investigations on samples of Martian soil indicated the presence of the elements iron, calcium, silicon, titanium and aluminum as major constituents. Observed biochemical reactions were judged conducive of biological activity.
In August 1976, NASA published this glossy, 67 page color pamphlet to give the public a brief overview of Viking 1 mission that landed on the surface of Mars just five weeks earlier. This pamphlet opens with a brief outline of the Viking 1 mission, descriptions of the Martian landing site and the scientific instrumentation onboard both the orbiter and the lander. After this introductory section, descriptions of the data taken over the first few weeks are discussed and analyzed. Specifically, there are sections on the Martian atmosphere, surfaced atmospheric temperatures and wind speeds. The second half of the book is devoted to the lander and focuses primarily on the surface photographs, photographic analysis and the search for life.
While this book provides numerous descriptions of the scientific experiments and the associated hardware, it is important to note that this book was written for the general public and is an easy read. It contains many color and black and white photographs some which haven't been seen in years.