Fictional story about first attempted manned mission to Mars [s]

[Don]

This book was published in the late 60's or early 70's. It was a fairly long book, and was NOT considered science fiction. The attempt to get to Mars was undertaken by the Americans alone (NASA was the major agency in the story) Most of the early part of the book was about the politics, maneuvering, etc. in getting the mission under way. Some random memories:

The Russians have a permanent base on the moon (the cosmonaut who is on the base is referred to as "the man on the moon"). The characters on the Mars mission interact with this Russian.

The cover of the book had an image of the mission patch, and I seem to remember that the patch was of three sailing ships flying through space. The mission MAY have had three spacecraft named Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria.

The second in command of the Mars mission was an African-American (at the time of the novel, I think all of the NASA astronauts were white). The story indicated that there was some controversy about this astronaut (i.e. he was given the spot over better qualified astronauts).

Thanks for any help in tracking down the title and author of this book.

[Debra]

The Martian Chronicles. Could it be "The Martian Chronicles" by Ray Bradbury?

[Andy]

Sounds a bit like Allen Drury's "Throne Of Saturn" http://www.amazon.com/Throne-Saturn-A... (which, in spite of the title, is about a mission to Mars)

[Andy]

I just checked Google books, which tells me that the ships in "Throne of Saturn" were called Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria, and I think there was an African American astronaut too. Also, this was published as a political thriller, not as science fiction.

[Ann aka Iftcan]

Well, Don has converted at least ONE person to wanting to read that book. I just ordered myself a copy from Paperbackswap.com.

[Don]

Yes, yes, yes..... "The Throne of Saturn" is the book!!! I appreciate it! And I was right about the cover... if you do a Google search under images for "The Throne of Saturn", you get the cover with a mission patch.. with the three ships.. I guess SOME of my memory is still working.. Now to track down a copy.

Thanks again!

Don

[Andy]

No problem. I read the book back in 1981 or so; no idea how well it will hold up, but I'm glad that we found your book.