The book, one of Drury's longest and most complex, deals with a wide range of issues, including race, bureaucratic infighting, the role of the press, the effects of fame, and the way that Presidents behave.

Drury, a staunch anti-Communist, believed most Americans were naive about the dangers of the Soviet-led communist threat to undermine the government of the United States.

[4] The Throne of Saturn depicts a renewed Space Race to reach Mars during which both Soviet and domestic enemies of the United States work to thwart, and possibly destroy, the American mission.

[5] In the late 1970s, an American spy satellite discovers Soviet preparations for a crewed mission to Mars, causing NASA to accelerate its existing plans for "Planetary Fleet One" (aka "Piffy One"), which is to be commanded by experienced astronaut Conrad "Connie" Trasker.

A protest at Kennedy Space Center organized by Clete O'Donnell, a labor leader who is secretly a Communist agent, results in an astronaut losing a leg to a bomb blast.

Under intense political pressure, the U.S. president forces NASA to place Weickert and Halleck on the crew and invites the Soviets to participate in the mission.

The fourth member of the crew, Dr. Pete Balkis, harbors romantic feelings for his close friend Trasker, who (though married) is attracted to Halleck's wife, Monetta.

During the rollout of Planetary Fleet One's three Saturn Vs at Kennedy Space Center, five people with press badges attempt to destroy the rockets with guns and bombs, but are restrained by reporters and security.

A protest in the VIP viewing section on the day of the launch turns violent when a mob attacks the President and vice-president; they are unhurt, but Clete O'Donnell, leading the demonstration, is killed by his own bomb.

The President urges Trasker to downplay the Soviet role in the tragedy to avoid international tension, implying that he will be given command of the next Mars flight if he does so.