Chapter 8

On a CNN segment, Venkat Kapoor explains NASA’s near-continuous satellite monitoring of Mark Watney and interprets recent EVAs as preparing a rover for long-range travel. He cautions that a trek to Ares 4 would be dangerous, noting JPL is exploring MDV modifications for a future traverse but timing is uncertain.

Inside NASA, senior leaders convene: Annie critiques messaging, Bruce Ng pushes MDV concepts that shed mass after landing, and Teddy Sanders coordinates priorities. Teddy assigns Mindy Park authority to reduce imaging gaps. Mitch Henderson urges telling Hermes the truth about Watney, but Teddy and Venkat delay disclosure until a rescue path exists.

Venkat outlines survival constraints: the Hab can likely last four years, but food will run out in about a year. NASA accelerates a presupply to land at Ares 3 within nine months, stealing a Delta IX booster from the EagleEye 3 mission and tasking JPL to build a payload in three months despite heavy costs.

As Mindy reports Watney leaving the Hab and continuing beyond walking range, media segments highlight a recalled commemorative stamp and a psychologist’s warning that Watney might seek the Ares 4 MAV radio simply to talk before giving up. Venkat and Bruce discuss ensuring Watney notices the presupply by broadcasting on rover/suit bands and dropping bright green “TURN ON YOUR COMM” ribbons during descent.

Tracking continues as Watney maintains a straight south-southwest course across Acidalia. Venkat plots coordinates on a wall map and realizes the line runs through the Pathfinder site. Concluding Watney aims to revive Pathfinder (and possibly Sojourner) to regain communication, Venkat alerts JPL to assemble the Pathfinder veterans immediately.