(1969) Bellcomm presented its report, “Integrated Space Program: Manned Planetary Missions for the 1980s,” to the Science and Technology Committee at the NASA Manned Spacecraft Center. Proposed mission scenarios included:
Short duration Venus orbital mission departing 1980 March 01 and returning 1981 June 01
Short duration Mars orbital mission with Venus gravity assist, departing 1981 November 12 and returning 1983 August 14
Long duration Venus orbital, departing 1985 January 05 and returning 1987 January 31
Conjunction class Mars landing, departing 1986 April 10 and returning 1989 February 13
Long duration Venus orbital, departing 1988 March 16 and returning 1990 April 16
Conjunction class Mars landing, departing 1990 Aug 23 and returning 1993 April 13
The Mars orbital mission would have included 24 Mars Surface Sample Return (MSSR) probes, and each Mars landing mission would have included six MSSRs and two manned Mars Excursion Modules (MEMs). Each MSSR was to be equipped with a small, automated Sample Acquisition Roving Vehicle, and each MEM was to include a Surface Roving Vehicle for enhanced crew mobility during approximately 500 sols on the Martian surface.
