Chapter 25.
In this chapter, Mark Watney has made it to the Schiaparelli HAB. He feeds oxygen and nitrogen into the HAB through hoses so he can take his suit off when he’s inside.
Watney and NASA talk back and forth, and NASA says they will get Watney instructions on what he needs to prep the HAB for the intercept with the Ares crew when they fly-by to pick him up.
Okay, so basically, to save you a bunch of reading, this is what NASA wants: NASA is going to have Watney basically remove every safety system from the HAB to reduce weight, and they are going to take the front parts of the ship off, again to reduce weight. They are going to make the HAB as light as possible for the launch. They are essentially going to send him to space in a tarp. Watney has to do a bunch of modifications to the HAB to make it as light as possible. They also want Watney to electrolyzing water for the hydrogen fuel plant to make more fuel.
The crew of Ares 3 talk about how they plan to intercept Watney when he launches into space inside the HAB. They determine what speed they need to be going to safely intercept Watney.
Watney has been taking stuff out of the MAV left and right. He has removed the Hull panel 19 and the front window.
Finally, Watney finishes the HAB modifications. Now the HAB will go through tests for six Sols. On the sixth sol, Watney will hopefully launch into space in the HAB.
The crew of Ares 3 go over their final plans the day before the big launch. They go over safety, backup plans, as well as everyone’s assignments.
The crew at NASA finish their final checks, and the countdown to the big day begins. Sixteen hours, nine minutes, forty seconds, and counting. If something goes wrong during the launch, there is nothing they can do. All they can do is sit and watch.
Mark Watney is understandably nervous. He eats his final meal pack, then all he can do is sit back and wait for the launch to happen. He leaves the samples in a pack a few hundred meters from the HAB since he can’t bring any of them. Watney reflects on his numerous jobs here. First a farmer, then a trucker, then a construction worker. He is glad he is leaving, yet he can’t believe it’s finally time to leave Mars.
Chapter 26.
The whole world gathered. Everywhere, New York, Chicago, in homes, business, schools, everywhere. Today was the Day. The Ares 3 crew were making final preparations and checking systems. They made sure everyone was a go. Four minutes is all that stands between the launch. Finally, the countdown began. Ten, nine, eight, etc. The MAV launches and Watney pulls so many G’s he can’t even grunt. Stuff looks like it’s going south, but Major Martinez is able to fix it, but the intercept course may have been compromised. The Ares 3 crew determine how to fix their course to be able to intercept Watney, since he is now off course.
Venkat explains to Annie what just happened, and they figure the Ares 3 crew will need a miracle to save Watney now.
The Ares 3 Crew tries to decide what to do to get Watney. They are going way to fast to be able to pick him up. Watney suggests cutting a hole in his suit and using the escaping air as thrust to get to the crew. Commander Lewis is a little hesitant with this idea. They come up with a plan. Basically, they are going to deliberately breech the ship’s airlock and use the escaping air to help them pick up Watney. They build a small bomb, and the bomb explodes. The air rushes out, and it makes them slow to 12 meters per second be within twenty-two meters of Watney. Their plan worked.
Beck jumps out of the ship and gets a visual of the HAB. He flies to the MAV, gets Watney, and gets both of them back to the ship successfully by pulling each other back with his tether.
Venkat goes to the press room to tell Annie and the press that everyone is safe.
Watney is THRILLED to be on Hermes 3 finally. When Vogel pulls them into the Airlock 2, the pain in his chest from the two broken ribs he sustained during ascent. There is a reunion, then Watney finally gets pain drugs. It will be another 211 days until he’s back on Earth, but he’s happy. Mark Watney is finally heading home!
