Viking 2 Lander image showing the spacecraft and part of Utopia Planitia, looking due south.NASA
The astrobiology community mourns the loss of Dr. Gil Levin. He passed away on July 26, 2021 at the age of 97.
Dr. Levin was part of NASA’s 1976 Viking mission to Mars, and led the Viking Labeled Release life detection experiment. The experiment got positive responses at both Viking landing sites. While a consensus did not accept his results as proof of life, he championed the case for life existing on present day Mars.
His long career and commitment to the search for life continues to bring inspiration to the astrobiology community, and we are grateful for his hard work and enduring legacy.