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Comparing Viking's cost NASA's other Mars missions

A multi-line chart showing annual expenditures for every robotic NASA Mars mission measured against the number of years from each project's start. Viking represents the largest peak.

Annual spending for NASA's Mars missions, adjusted for inflation. The chart lists annual spending levels for Mariners 3 & 4, Mariners 6 & 7, Mariner 8 & 9, Viking, Mars Observer, Mars Pathfinder, Mars Global Surveyor, MPL/MCO, Mars Odyssey, Spirit & Opportunity, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, Curiosity, Phoenix, MAVEN, InSight, Perseverance, and Mars Sample Return. Inflation adjusted to 2025 using NASA's New Start Index.

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