Introduction

Abstract

This book is about a human mission to Mars, but not the way you might think. Nor is it about what NASA is currently planning, although their current plans are described here in order to put them into context for what I feel is a better first step to the planet. This book is about a mission mentioned only briefly in studies over the years and, in a way, is arguably a better path. Years ago, such a mission was listed, almost as an afterthought, in what was then called “The Flexible Path.” It was simply called a “Mars Orbital Mission.” This book proposes that such a mission to the moons of Mars, Deimos and Phobos, be undertaken prior to any attempt to land on Mars. But first, a little background.