Mission to Mars

An insider's exciting view of U.S. plans to land on--and even colonize--the Red Planet, this well-written account includes the author's blueprint for a 22-month mission to Mars that would depart Earth in June 2004. Collins, who piloted the Apollo moon mission in 1969, envisions the deployment of two mother ships (one for backup), plus two landing craft, and speculates on the possibility of a joint Soviet-U.S. mission, or a multinational cooperative effort. Despite an estimated pricetag of $200 billion for his scenario, ``we'd still be spending more on cigarettes if the cost is spread over 15 years,'' he calculates. Going to Mars, in his opinion, ``would be the salvation'' of NASA, giving the agency a unifying vision and sense of purpose, while providing alleged spiritual benefits to the populace (``It is a humbling experience to see the Earth from afar''). Photos. (Nov.)