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The Path to Mars

Our World in Space
Robert McCall & Isaac Asimov
New York Graphic Society, 1974

Project Viking at Astronautix

Image credit: NASA

Image source: Numbers Station

Vehicle Comparison

EMPIRE at Astronautix

Image credit: Convair

Image source: SDASM Archives

EMPIRE Re-Entry Vehicle

EMPIRE at Astronautix

Image credit: Convair

Image source: SDASM Archives

Surface Operations

EMPIRE at Astronautix

Image credit: Convair

Image source: SDASM Archives

Mars Operational Phase

It’s January 1972.

Having safely glided to a stop on a Martian plateau, this illustration depicts the Operational Phase of the mission. The crew have already inflated their six meter habitat (it’s a tent), assembled the flat-pack steamroller and are shown removing the nuclear reactor so it can be dragged at least a kilometer from base camp so it won’t kill them.

With the reactor at a safe distance, the crew of eight have 479 days to explore the surface of Mars and maybe do a spot of gardening.

You can read more about this fascinating 1960 Boeing Study here.

Boeing Mars Glider at Astronautix

Image credit: Boeing / Chicago Daily News

Image source: Numbers Station

Manned Return (B&W Plates)

Boeing Mars Glider at Astronautix

Image credit: Boeing

Image source: SDASM Commons

Project Deimos (1964)

Project Deimos at Astronautix

Image credit: Douglas

Image source: SDASM Archives