Starting with Nixon's announcement in 1970 of the objectives of a space programme that would include the scientific investigation of all the planets in the solar system [footage of Nixon shaking hands with delegates], this documentary outlines the proposed missions. Each planet is dealt with in turn, as follows: image of the Earth from space; Mercury, illustration of proposed landscape; Venus, illustration of proposed landscape; Mars, illustration of surface; satellite image of Jupiter; satellite image of Saturn, rendering of Saturn from Titan; illustrations of Uranus, Neptune and Pluto; 1960s Mariner images of Mars; model of Mariner 9 orbiter and Viking lander, animations of Mariner flight path, planning of 1975 Viking lander mission [scientists work with computers and photographs], graphics of Viking lander; 1973 Mariner 10 mission to Venus and Mercury flight path animation, graphics of onboard television cameras, 1969 radar map of Venus, Mercury's orbit around the Sun; illustrations of Pioneer vehicles, du

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