Rick Martinez

Lore & Background

Rick Martinez is the pilot of the Ares III mission. During the mission's 31-sol expedition on Mars, a severe dust storm threatens the Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV). In the ensuing evacuation, astronaut Mark Watney is struck by flying debris and presumed dead. The remaining crew, including Martinez, takes off for their orbiting vessel, the Hermes, which will then return them to Earth. Later, after NASA makes contact with Watney and informs the crew he is alive, astrophysicist Rich Purnell devises an alternative plan: send the Taiyang Shen launcher to resupply the Hermes, which will then use Earth's gravity to 'slingshot' back to Mars two years earlier than Ares IV. NASA director Teddy Sanders flatly rejects the idea, considering it too risky for the Ares III crew. Flight director Mitch Henderson surreptitiously sends the proposal to the crew, and they unanimously vote in favor and divert the Hermes. Martinez is part of this unanimous decision, demonstrating his commitment to rescuing Watney.

In Their Own Story

After the dust storm forces the Ares III crew to evacuate Mars, Martinez pilots the MAV to rendezvous with the Hermes. The crew returns toward Earth, unaware that Watney has survived. Later, when they learn Watney is alive, Martinez and the rest of the crew receive a proposal from NASA to slingshot back to Mars. They unanimously vote in favor, diverting the Hermes. Months later, as Watney launches from Mars in the Ares IV MAV, the Hermes crew finds they remain too far away and moving too fast to retrieve him. Commander Lewis quickly improvises to explode the airlock in part of the ship, resulting in air violently escaping and slowing them down. Lewis also pilots a tethered Manned Maneuvering Unit to personally reach Watney, but they are still too far apart. Watney quickly improvises by piercing his pressure suit, and propels himself with the escaping air, reaches Lewis, and manages to hold on. Martinez is part of the crew that celebrates the successful rescue.

Reader's Guide

Rick Martinez is the pilot of the Ares III mission. His role involves piloting the MAV during the emergency evacuation from Mars and later piloting the Hermes during the slingshot maneuver back to Mars. Key moments include: being part of the crew that unanimously votes to divert the Hermes back to Mars to rescue Watney, and being present during the final rescue sequence where Commander Lewis improvises to slow the Hermes and retrieve Watney. Martinez's defining trait is his loyalty to his crewmate, demonstrated by his vote to risk the mission to save Watney.

Did You Know?

• Rick Martinez is played by Michael Peña in the film.
• Martinez is part of the Ares III crew that unanimously votes to divert the Hermes back to Mars to rescue Mark Watney.
• The Ares III mission explores Acidalia Planitia on Mars during a 31-sol expedition.
• The crew's vessel, the Hermes, uses Earth's gravity to slingshot back to Mars two years earlier than the Ares IV mission.
• Martinez is present when Commander Lewis improvises by exploding the Hermes' airlock to slow the ship for Watney's rescue.