Direct Ascent Click here to see a large picture of a direct ascent moon rocket. The vehicle shown above is representative of the direct ascent lunar rocket mode. The pictured single stage rocket would launch from the Moon in a fashion similar to Earth launch, returning directly to Earth. How such a rocket could ever land on Earth after traveling to the Moon is a mystery. A single stage rocket does it all in this concept.
Closer examination reveals insight of technical merit by the artist.
A thin stabilizing rib along the body of the rocket suggests a return flight through Earth's atmosphere though no deployable landing gear for an Earth runway appears in the picture. A ladder extends from the hatch to the lunar surface, sixty feet below. Two Stage Lunar Lander Painted in October of 1960 by Bonestell Click here to see a large picture of a two stage lunar lander. This was an insightful concept at the time it was authored. The lander has a descent stage, but the ascent stage is a space plane.