Hermes Crew
Six souls, one ship, a rescue spanning millions of miles and an unbreakable bond.
via Wikipedia: The Martian (Weir novel) · see source
The Hermes Crew is the six-person team that operates the Hermes spacecraft, the interplanetary vessel that serves as the primary transport for the Ares III mission to Mars. Led by Commander Melissa Lewis, this group of highly skilled NASA astronauts is responsible for the scientific exploration of Mars and the safe return of all crew members. Their role becomes critical when a severe dust storm forces an emergency evacuation, leaving astronaut Mark Watney stranded on the planet, and the crew must grapple with the agonizing decision to return to Mars to rescue him—a choice that pits protocol against loyalty, and logic against the raw human instinct to never leave a man behind.
Quick Facts
- Commander
- Melissa Lewis
- Members
- Mark Watney
- Rick Martinez
- Beth Johanssen
- Chris Beck
- Alex Vogel
Lore & Background
The Hermes Crew is the beating heart of the Ares III mission, a NASA endeavor to explore the Acidalia Planitia region of Mars. The crew consists of Commander Melissa Lewis, a United States Navy Submarine Warfare officer, oceanographer, and geologist; Mark Watney, an astrobotanist and mechanical engineer; Rick Martinez, the Ares 3 pilot; Beth Johanssen, the Ares 3 computer specialist; Dr. Chris Beck, the Ares 3 flight surgeon and EVA specialist; and Alex Vogel, the Ares 3 astrochemist. They are selected not just for their complementary skills but for their ability to function as a single organism under extreme pressure, living and working together in the confined, humming metal tube of the Hermes for months during the journey to and from Mars.
Reader's Guide
The Hermes Crew is the central group of the Ares III mission, comprising six astronauts with distinct roles: Commander Melissa Lewis leads with a steady hand and a geologist's eye for detail; Mark Watney is the astrobotanist and mechanical engineer, a master of improvisation; Rick Martinez pilots the spacecraft with a pilot's cool precision; Beth Johanssen manages the computers, her fingers dancing across keyboards to keep the ship alive; Dr. Chris Beck serves as the flight surgeon and EVA specialist, stitching up bodies and performing spacewalks; and Alex Vogel handles chemistry as an astrochemist.
Their primary goal is to conduct scientific research on Mars and return safely to Earth, but this is upended when Watney is stranded. The crew's role shifts to supporting a rescue, coordinating with NASA from space, and ultimately deciding to risk their own lives by turning the Hermes around to save Watney. They represent the best of human cooperation and determination in the face of overwhelming odds—a group of brilliant people who refuse to give up on each other.
Did You Know?
- Dr. Chris Beck is the Ares 3 flight surgeon and EVA specialist, and he uses a Manned Maneuvering Unit on a tether to rescue Watney.
- The crew learns of Watney's survival when Mitch Henderson, the Ares 3 flight director, convinces NASA Administrator Teddy Sanders to allow him to inform them.
- All five of Watney's crewmates approve the 'Rich Purnell Maneuver' to rescue him, after Henderson secretly emails the details to Hermes.
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