Mars Direct

[Triton]

Discovery Channel documentary The Mars Underground (2007) describing the Mars Direct proposal of sending astronauts directly to Mars by The Mars Society.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3REZZWeWcU


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiPU6Xvrq44


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHhp1aLiSio


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLfFnK8w0Wc


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-XKNK2Eja0

 

[F-14D]

Discovery Channel documentary The Mars Underground (2007) describing the Mars Direct proposal of sending astronauts to the moon by The Mars Society.

One correction: Mars Direct envisioned going direct to Mars from Earth orbit, hence its name. One of the points made by its proponents that although some of its hardware could be used should we want to return to the moon, lunar mission capability was not necessary to go to Mars. The Bush initiative of 2006-7, on the other hand, envisioned eventually going to Mars via and after returning to the Moon.

Of course for the US at least, it seems that now both of them are a moot point.

 

[Triton]

Schematic of Martin Marietta Astronautics Ares heavy-lift launch vehicle. (Not to be confused with the later Ares-family of rockets for Project Constellation.)

Source:
http://www.kilnet.freeserve.co.uk/marsdirect.htm