fut/Marsexp_v_c_o_TPMBK (ca. 1976, JPL photo no. P-17055 BC, S85-41281 eq)
“UNMANNED MARS VISIT ARTWORK —- Art concept
depicting unmanned exploration of Mars, considered
as a possible precursor to a manned exploration of Mars in the next century. A study at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory lead to a series of art concepts depicting scenarios considered.
pg. 41-3”
Above is per the caption associated with the black & white version of the photo.
Possibly an evolution of JPL’s original “Purple Pigeon” concept/proposal, depicting a Mars Surface Sample Return (MSSR) mission.
In lieu of any other imagery, I refer to this as a possible extension of the Mars Purple Pigeon proposal simply because Mr. Portree alludes to such in referencing an image with similar rovers:
spaceflighthistory.blogspot.com/2018/12/dual-mars-rovers-...
Credit: “No Shortage of Dreams: Mars Multi-Rover Mission (1977)”/David S. F. Portree
One of so many wonderful works for JPL by Ken Hodges.
However, for whatever it's worth, the official caption of a companion?/associated? photo (JPL photo no. P-17055AC) makes absolutely no mention of a sample return intent/capability.
Frankly, the multiple JPL 1970s proposals for Mars exploration during the 1980s & beyond, are rather confusing & convoluted. At least to me.
fut/Marsexp_v_c_o_TPMBK (ca. 1976, JPL photo no. P-17055 BC, S85-41281 eq)
“UNMANNED MARS VISIT ARTWORK —- Art concept
depicting unmanned exploration of Mars, considered
as a possible precursor to a manned exploration of Mars in the next century. A study at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory lead to a series of art concepts depicting scenarios considered.
pg. 41-3”
Above is per the caption associated with the black & white version of the photo.
Possibly an evolution of JPL’s original “Purple Pigeon” concept/proposal, depicting a Mars Surface Sample Return (MSSR) mission.
In lieu of any other imagery, I refer to this as a possible extension of the Mars Purple Pigeon proposal simply because Mr. Portree alludes to such in referencing an image with similar rovers:
spaceflighthistory.blogspot.com/2018/12/dual-mars-rovers-...
Credit: “No Shortage of Dreams: Mars Multi-Rover Mission (1977)”/David S. F. Portree
One of so many wonderful works for JPL by Ken Hodges.
However, for whatever it's worth, the official caption of a companion?/associated? photo (JPL photo no. P-17055AC) makes absolutely no mention of a sample return intent/capability.
Frankly, the multiple JPL 1970s proposals for Mars exploration during the 1980s & beyond, are rather confusing & convoluted. At least to me.