Miscellaneous Graphics [1 of 2 folders]
Concept of a NERVA II powered interplanetary vehicle capable of capture missions to Mars or Venus. Design is based on combination of standard single-engine propulsion modules. Three modules are lashed together for the Earth departure maneuver. Two additional modules are arranged in tandem, one for planet capture, the other for planet departure.
Image credit: Krafft Ehricke Papers
Image source: NASM
Image credit: General Dynamics / Astronautics
Image source: SDASM Archives
Image credit: General Dynamics / Astronautics
Image source: SDASM Archives
Let’s go back to Solar Transportation for a minute, because it helps to explain some of the images in the Ehricke Papers. Ehricke’s team detailed a Mars lander that looked a lot like early Apollo concepts, but the some of the folders contain images of a landing using what looks like Gemini hardware. I think this image captioned in Solar Transportation is a clue.
From Solar Transportation:
In 1982, a 69 day Mars capture mission launches. The crew conducts intensive reconnaissance both from orbit, and using probes – including landers and returners – but no manned surface excursions are planned. A mission launched between 1984 is one-way, involving a 529 day stay on Mars. A follow-on mission in 1985 (via Venus) retrieves the crew.
Reading back through the General Dynamics and Douglas UMPIRE reports, I think there’s enough connective tissue to make the argument that the paintings below are at least vicinal to EMPIRE / UMPIRE if not directly related, like kissing cousins. It doesn’t really matter though, because I’m not a real historian, and this isn’t a thesis.
Above: Gemini, on Mars or wherever. Below: Yup, that’s a Mars Lander.
Artists’ concepts (Spacecraft) [1 of 6 folders]
Artists’ concepts (spacecraft) [4 of 6 folders]
Image credit: Krafft Ehricke Papers
Image source: NASM
Mars Capture Mission in 1982. Orbit crew inspects the nuclear twin engine NERVA II system of the Earth Departure Module. Each engine delivers 250, 000 lbs. of thrust.
Image credit: Krafft Ehricke Papers
Image source: NASM
Image credit: NASA
Image source: NASA NTRS
Image credit: NASA
File source: NASA NTRS
Image credit: Martin Marietta
File source: NASA NTRS
Our World in Space
Robert McCall & Isaac Asimov
New York Graphic Society, 1974
Image credit: Robert McCall
Image source: Numbers Station
Image credit: North American Rockwell
Image source: SDASM Archives
