 How long was the author away from earth on this trip?
Illustrated by WOOD My agent was the one who got me the job of going along to write up the first trip to Mars. Trip time is supposed to take 260 days (that's one way), so we're aimed toward where Mars will be (had better be, or else). Also, I am one of the first five men in the history of the world to see the opposite side of the Moon, with a bluish blurred crescent beyond it that Pat said was the Earth. April 1, 1961 I've skipped over the last 177 days or so, because there's nothing much new. He's all for going out and looking for lichen, but Pat says he's got to set up camp, then get instructions from Earth.
 17 months
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