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In this alternate history President Nixon authorizes NASA to shoot for Mars, but only using Apollo hardware and other hardware available at the time.
Using two launches, one a standard Saturn V with a modified Gemini spacecraft (A bigger version with more space for astronauts on a return trip) which would return to Earth - the Ares 5A - and a second upgraded Saturn V with 8 UA1205 boosters used on Titan III rockets that would launch the Mars Excursion Vehicle (MEM) to Mars. The MEM would also re-purpose the spent S-IVB stage as a wet workshop allowing the crew plenty of space during the transit. Both are equipped with special shielding to handle radiation on the way to the Red Planet.
After cruising to Mars, the Ares 5A dives deep into the Martian atmosphere, using its density to slow it into an elliptical orbit as it waits for the MEM to complete it's mission. The Ares 5 crew in the MEM then undocks for the wet workshop and does a direct descent using a solid motor driven retro package. After slowing itself through the atmosphere the MEM releases its drogue chute and slows further. Three minutes before landing the drogue is cut and a Ballute chute opens, slowing the craft even further and allowing the side shields to jettison. At 3km above the surface the ballute is released and an aerospike descent engine slows the MEM to a nice landing on the surface of Mars.
After two months on the surface, the MEM lifts off, slowly dropping its side mounted fuel tanks as it achieves orbital speeds. The two orbiting craft then rendezvous, the crew transfers from the MEM to the Big G with ample space for the astronauts, and it burns them back to Earth.
Kerbal Space Program - www.kerbalspaceprogram.com
Big shout out to Mortifer V. for the music - all rights to him! - / @mortiferv
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