There follows a sequential program of unmanned exploration of the surface of Mars by means of some ten to twenty unmanned rover vehicles, each of which returns Mars samples to the Deimos laboratory. A two-man sortie descends to the surface of Mars to gain a direct geological perspective and develop priorities in selecting samples. Both chemical and electric propulsion are used in this mission, as appropriate.
Electric power is derived from solar and nuclear sources.
Fewer than half of today's Americans saw the first Apollo landing in 1969. Skylab, a functioning space station, was allowed to die a fiery death as it entered the Earth's atmosphere in 1974. The dreams of visiting Mars died with Apollo and Skylab, at least as far as the government was concerned. Public interest, however, has never really waned. Just in the past few years, the Mars Society, founded by Robert Zubrin, has gained popularity.