NASA scientists at the Langley Research Center in Virginia stand in front of the aeroshell that protected the Viking Lander I during its entry into the Martian atmosphere in 1976. An aeroshell is made of a heat shield and "backshell" which contains parachutes and other components used for entry.
NASA scientists at the Langley Research Center in Virginia stand in front of the aeroshell that protected the Viking Lander I during its entry into the Martian atmosphere in 1976. An aeroshell is made of a heat shield and “backshell” which contains parachutes and other components used for entry.Image Credit: NASA