Ares 3 Launch
Six go up. Five come down. One stays behind.
The Ares 3 Launch kicks off NASA's third manned mission to Mars—and the most disastrous one in history. On a crisp Floridian morning, Commander Melissa Lewis and her crew—botanist Mark Watney, pilot Rick Martinez, systems whiz Beth Johanssen, chemist Chris Beck, and navigator Alex Vogel—board a separate booster that lifts them into orbit, where they rendezvous with the Hermes spacecraft already assembled. Designed for a 31-sol surface stay, the launch is a flawless spectacle of engineering and global collaboration. But this perfect liftoff only makes the catastrophe that follows—a brutal dust storm that forces an early abort and leaves Watney stranded—cut that much deeper.
- Mission
- Ares 3
- Crew
- Commander Lewis, Mark Watney, Rick Martinez, Beth Johanssen, Chris Beck, Alex Vogel
- Affiliation
- NASA
- Destination
- Mars (Acidalia Planitia region)
- Status
- Launched successfully; mission aborted after dust storm; Watney stranded
Lore & Background
The Ares 3 mission is part of NASA's ambitious Ares program, which aims to establish a sustained human presence on Mars. The launch takes place from Cape Canaveral, with the crew lifted into orbit aboard a separate booster before docking with the Hermes, a state-of-the-art spacecraft assembled in orbit and designed for interplanetary travel. The mission's primary objectives include geological surveys, biological experiments, and testing of life-support systems for future colonization. The crew is selected for their expertise and camaraderie, with Commander Lewis leading a team that includes botanist Watney, pilot Martinez, chemist Beck, systems operator Johanssen, and navigator Vogel.
In Their Own Story
The countdown clock hits zero. On the pad, the Hermes shudders as its main engines ignite, a column of fire so bright it washes out the morning sky. Inside the cabin, the crew feels the familiar press of acceleration—three, four, five Gs—their bodies sinking into the couches as they run through checklists. Commander Lewis watches the blue curve of Earth shrink through the side window, knowing this is the last time she'll see it for months. Beside her, Martinez cracks a joke about the view, his voice tinny through the comms. Johanssen's fingers dance across her console, tracking telemetry. For Mark Watney, the launch is the beginning of an adventure he never imagined would end with him alone on an alien world, staring at a comms dish that can't reach home.
Reader's Guide
The Ares 3 Launch is the inciting event of The Martian's timeline. It begins with the successful liftoff of the Hermes from Cape Canaveral, carrying the six-person crew. The journey to Mars is uneventful—routine system checks, science experiments, and the occasional movie night in the galley. Upon arrival, they land in the Acidalia Planitia region and begin surface operations: drilling core samples, deploying weather stations, and testing life-support gear for future colonists. During the frantic evacuation, Mark Watney is struck by a piece of flying debris and presumed dead, leading to his abandonment. The launch itself is a symbol of human achievement, but it also sets the stage for Watney's struggle for survival and the daring rescue mission that follows. The event highlights NASA's capabilities and the risks inherent in space exploration—where one second of bad luck can turn a triumph into a nightmare.
Did You Know?
- The Ares 3 mission is the third in a series of manned Mars missions, following Ares 1 and Ares 2.
- The Hermes spacecraft used for Ares 3 is a reusable vessel designed for multiple Mars missions.
- The crew's surface stay on Mars is planned for 31 sols, but is cut short due to the dust storm.
- Mark Watney's background as a botanist is a key factor in his survival strategy on Mars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is on the Ares 3 crew?
Commander Melissa Lewis leads a five-person team aboard the Hermes spacecraft, including botanist Mark Watney, pilot Rick Martinez, systems engineer Beth Johanssen, chemist Chris Beck, and navigator Alex Vogel. All six are NASA personnel working as part of a broader international effort to reach Mars.
How long is the Ares 3 surface stay supposed to last?
The mission is designed for a 31-sol stay on the Martian surface before the Hermes lifts off for the long return journey to Earth.
What goes wrong after the Ares 3 launch?
A violent dust storm strikes the team shortly after they land, prompting NASA to order an emergency abort of the mission. During the rushed early departure, Mark Watney is accidentally left behind on Mars and presumed dead by the rest of the crew.
Where does the Ares 3 crew land on Mars?
The Hermes sets down in the Acidalia Planitia region of the planet, which serves as the team's operational base for their surface work.
Why is the Ares 3 launch significant to the overall story?
The launch is the inciting event that sets up Watney's entire survival ordeal, and the fact that it goes perfectly only makes the sudden dust-storm reversal feel more devastating. It also establishes the crew's roles, the global collaboration behind the mission, and the engineering details that Watney will later rely on to stay alive.
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