Chapter Text
Nov. 14, 2035
NASA Statement Regarding Nov. 13 Aborted Ares III Mission
The following statement is from Mycroft Holmes, NASA Director, and Michael Stamford, Director of Mars Missions, regarding the aborted Ares III mission on November 13.
This statement concerns the Ares III mission, part of the Ares Program, which was intended to be a month-long mission to further examine the biological, atmospheric and geological history of Mars in an effort to learn what is was that depleted the planet’s atmosphere and depleted its oceans.
After a 4 month journey the crew landed on Mars November 7th, and after only 6 days, we had to abort the mission.
At around 4:30 a.m. CST our satellites detected a storm approaching the Ares III mission site on Mars. The storm escalated to severe and we had no choice but to evacuate the crew and abort the mission. Commander Sholto and the entire crew performed admirably, but it is with great sadness we have to inform you that during the evacuation astronaut John Watson lost his life.
This is indeed a tragic day for the NASA family, for the Watson family, for the crew who joined him on this Ares mission. We trust your thoughts and prayers are with them and their families. John was an extraordinary astronaut, and even though he knew the risks, we never did want to see a circumstance in which this could happen.
We will dedicate ourselves every single day to assist the remaining Ares III crew on their journey back to Earth.
A press conference by Mars Missions Director Michael Stamford and Hermes Flight Director Gregory Lestrade will take place from NASA's Johnson Space Center, Houston, beginning at 3 p.m. EST today.
More info and updates at www.nasa.gov