posted 12-26-2010 10:37 AM               

Space Cover #89, Viking Parachute Test Covers

The Space Cover of the Week commemorates one of the Viking Parachute Tests held between July 11 and August 19, 1972 at White Sands Missle Range, New Mexico. Prior to the launching of the Viking spacecraft to Mars in 1975, the parachute system had to be tested. To simulate the parachute deployment sequence, a large helium balloon was used to carry the test spacecraft to 120,000 feet. The spacecraft was then released and fired solid rocket motors to achieve the transonic and supersonic speeds required for the tests. Inside the test spacecraft were instruments to record the positions and motions of the vehicle and high speed cameras to photograph the parachute as it deployed. These tests simulated the parachute deployment at the speeds expected when the lander lands on mars. All tests were successful.

Who provided the rubber stamp cachets on the covers serviced for the tests? Four different colors were used.