Ares 4 MAV

Lore & Background

The Ares 4 MAV is one of several pre-positioned ascent vehicles designed to ferry astronauts from the Martian surface to orbit. Unlike the Ares 3 MAV, which was lost during an emergency evacuation, the Ares 4 MAV remains intact at its landing site near the Schiaparelli crater. It is equipped with a habitat module, supplies, and a rocket capable of reaching the Hermes orbiter. Its presence becomes the focal point of Watney's 3,200-kilometer traverse across Mars, as he must reach it before the Ares 4 crew arrives, or risk being stranded forever.

In Their Own Story

The dust settled over the Hab, and Mark Watney stared at the map. The Ares 4 MAV was a tiny dot near Schiaparelli, over 3,000 kilometers away—a distance that would take months to cross in a modified rover with rations running thin. He traced a line with his finger—across plains, past craters, through the unknown. That MAV was his only ticket home. He thought of its fuel, its life support, its cozy little cabin waiting for someone else. 'Sorry, Ares 4 crew,' he muttered. 'I'm borrowing your ride.'

Reader's Guide

The Ares 4 MAV is a pre-supplied Mars Ascent Vehicle located at the Schiaparelli crater, intended for the Ares 4 mission. In the story, it becomes Mark Watney's primary objective after the Ares 3 MAV is destroyed. He must travel over 3,000 kilometers across Mars to reach it, using a modified rover and relying on careful resource management. Its role is critical: it provides the only means for Watney to leave Mars. The MAV contains a habitat module where he stays after arriving, and its rocket is used to rendezvous with the Hermes orbiter. The journey to the MAV is the central challenge of the second half of the story, testing Watney's ingenuity and endurance. Why it matters: The Ares 4 MAV represents hope and the culmination of Watney's survival plan. Its successful use demonstrates the power of human problem-solving and the importance of NASA's contingency planning. Fans remember it as the final piece of the puzzle that brings Watney home—and as the scene of one of the most gut-wrenching launch sequences in the book.

Did You Know?

• The Ares 4 MAV was originally intended for a crew of four, but Watney modified it to launch with just himself aboard.
• Its landing site at Schiaparelli crater was chosen for its scientific interest, not as a rescue point.
• Watney had to remove non-essential equipment from the MAV to reduce weight for the solo launch.
• The MAV's habitat module provided Watney with a safe place to live while he prepared for launch.