Beth Johanssen

Lore & Background

Beth Johanssen is the Ares 3 computer specialist, as listed in the novel's major characters. She is part of the crew that arrives on Mars in 2035 for a month-long stay. During the evacuation caused by a wind storm, she escapes with the rest of the crew. Later, when NASA informs the Ares 3 crew that Watney is alive, she is among the crew who are thrilled. She is one of the five crewmates who approve the "Rich Purnell Maneuver" — a slingshot trajectory around Earth for a gravity assist that could get Hermes back to Mars on a much-extended mission to save Watney. After Henderson secretly emails the details to Hermes, all five crewmates approve the plan. Once they begin the maneuver, having disabled the remote overrides, NASA has no choice but to support them. The resupply ship docks with Hermes successfully. During the final rescue, Lewis improvises a plan to intercept the MAV by firing Hermes' attitude thrusters and then blowing a hole in the front airlock with an improvised sugar-and-liquid-oxygen bomb. Beck, the Hermes' EVA specialist, uses a Manned Maneuvering Unit on a tether to reach Watney and bring him back to Hermes.

In Their Own Story

Beth Johanssen is the Ares 3 computer specialist. In the year 2035, the crew of NASA's Ares 3 mission arrive at Acidalia Planitia for a month-long stay on Mars. After only six sols, a wind storm threatens to topple their Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV). During the evacuation, an antenna tears loose and impales astronaut Mark Watney, also disabling his spacesuit radio and life signs monitoring system. He is flung out of sight by the wind and presumed dead. As the MAV teeters dangerously, mission commander Melissa Lewis has no choice but to take off without completing the search for Watney. Johanssen is among the crew who evacuate. Later, NASA discovers Watney is alive when satellite images show evidence of his activities. Mitch Henderson, the Ares 3 flight director, convinces NASA Administrator Teddy Sanders to allow him to inform the Ares 3 crew of Watney's survival; they are thrilled, except for Lewis, who is guilt-stricken at leaving him behind. Astrodynamicist Rich Purnell devises a "slingshot" trajectory around Earth for a gravity assist that could get Hermes back to Mars on a much-extended mission to save Watney. Sanders vetoes the "Rich Purnell Maneuver," but Henderson secretly emails the details to Hermes. All five of Watney's crewmates approve the plan. Once they begin the maneuver, having disabled the remote overrides, NASA has no choice but to support them. The resupply ship docks with Hermes successfully. During the final rescue, Lewis improvises a plan to intercept the MAV by firing Hermes' attitude thrusters and then blowing a hole in the front airlock with an improvised sugar-and-liquid-oxygen bomb. Beck, the Hermes' EVA specialist, uses a Manned Maneuvering Unit on a tether to reach Watney and bring him back to Hermes.

Reader's Guide

Beth Johanssen is the Ares 3 computer specialist. She is part of the crew that arrives on Mars in 2035 for a month-long stay. During the emergency evacuation caused by a wind storm, she escapes with the rest of the crew. After NASA discovers Watney is alive, the Ares 3 crew is informed; they are all thrilled except for Commander Lewis. Johanssen is one of the five crewmates who approve the "Rich Purnell Maneuver" — a slingshot trajectory around Earth for a gravity assist that could get Hermes back to Mars on a much-extended mission to save Watney. After Henderson secretly emails the details to Hermes, all five crewmates approve the plan. Once they begin the maneuver, having disabled the remote overrides, NASA has no choice but to support them. The resupply ship docks with Hermes successfully. During the final rescue, Lewis improvises a plan to intercept the MAV by firing Hermes' attitude thrusters and then blowing a hole in the front airlock with an improvised sugar-and-liquid-oxygen bomb. Beck, the Hermes' EVA specialist, uses a Manned Maneuvering Unit on a tether to reach Watney and bring him back to Hermes. The source does not provide her age, nationality, specific dialogue, or details about her skills beyond her role as computer specialist.

Did You Know?

• Beth Johanssen is listed among the major characters in the novel as the Ares 3 computer specialist.
• She is one of the five Ares 3 crewmates who approve the 'Rich Purnell Maneuver' after Henderson secretly emails the details to Hermes.
• Johanssen and the rest of the crew disable the remote overrides before beginning the maneuver, leaving NASA no choice but to support them.
• The resupply ship docks with Hermes successfully as part of the rescue plan.
• During the final rescue, Beck uses a Manned Maneuvering Unit on a tether to reach Watney and bring him back to Hermes.