Seattle author Robert M Blevins ('The Corona Incident', 'Say Goodbye to the Sun') presents an exciting story about a risky first mission to the Red Planet. A new U.S. President with vision has given NASA a near-impossible challenge: Send a manned mission to the Red Planet within four years, when Mars and Earth make their closest approach in a decade. Twenty-five images illustrate this fast-moving tale of survival and adventure. Conflict between the characters drives the story as Mission Commander Walker, MEV lander pilot Anna Johnson, and Specialist Dale McKendrick roll the dice in a gamble unprecedented in space exploration. Main character 'Anna Johnson' was partially based on real-life Canadian Chief Astronaut Julie Payette, who received a copy in hardback. Research for the novel was obtained through NASA and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. For Kindle owners, the Kindle Book version is available at Amazon....More >< Less