Several months ago, the Ares 14 manned rocket completed a 192-day journey and experienced 13 hours of radio silence. Finally, astronauts Charles Milan, Nemo Wilson, and Michael William James successfully landed in the A14 landing zone of the Utopia Planitia on Mars.
During their 38-day mission, the three astronauts conducted 37 geological and sample
collection tasks, 45 automated meteorological and radiation level observations, and 11 rounds of plant cultivation experiments. On the 40th day, having mostly completed their mission, they boarded the return capsule to head back to Earth.
The return journey went smoothly during the early and mid-stages. However, on the 147th day, the Ares 14 return capsule lost communication with Earth due to the solar conjunction and possibly damaged communication systems. The return date was repeatedly postponed, and as of now, the Ares 14 return capsule has been out of contact for 13 days.
On the 14th day of the capsule’s loss of contact, NASA ruled out the solar conjunction as the cause and activated an emergency plan. Using the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO), NASA retrieved updated coordinates for the return capsule. However, due to instrument damage, the capsule deviated slightly from its pre-planned re-entry trajectory, meaning it would not be captured by Earth’s gravitational field and would instead fly past Earth into deep space.
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Day 29 of the Incident
NASA confirmed that the Ares 14 return capsule had consumed 9% more fuel than expected, causing it to enter a highly elliptical orbit. As a result, it would not be captured by Earth’s gravity upon approach.
In an emergency meeting, NASA authorized the launch of a rescue spacecraft, A14-R, operated by the private company APeace. The rescue ship was launched from a space station in low Earth orbit, aiming to rendezvous with the return capsule as it glided to a position 30,000 kilometers from Earth.
Through communication with the astronauts, the rescue team confirmed that the return
capsule’s energy systems were nearly depleted, making autonomous course correction
impossible. Stranded in the vacuum of space, the astronauts awaited the arrival of A14-R—their last hope.
The rescue ship drifted silently through the dark expanse of space. Astronauts David Johnson and Helen Stephens sat side by side, monitoring the control panel as various indicators flickered with data. The rendezvous with the Ares 14 return capsule was only a few hours away.
“David, how’s the fuel consumption?” Helen asked in a low, tense voice as she adjusted the navigation system, her eyes fixed on the display.
“Engines are holding steady. We just need them to last until we make contact with the capsule,” David replied, glancing at the readings on the control panel. He habitually wiped the sweat off his brow with his hand.
After a long pause, the voice of the ground control center came through the radio:
“A14-R, you are now on the planned trajectory. Data is confirmed. Propulsion system is ready for execution.”
“Roger that,” Helen responded, exchanging a brief glance with David. They gave each other a quick nod of encouragement.
Silence filled the cabin once more. Every second in space stretched endlessly, but they couldn’t afford to be distracted.
“David, do you think this will work?” Helen asked without turning her head.
“It has to,” David replied firmly. “Those guys have been out there for 29 days. We’re their only hope.”
The ship trembled slightly as the main engine hummed to life, emitting a low, steady thrum. The propulsion system began fine-tuning the final trajectory. Both astronauts focused on the countdown ticking away on the display.
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At Mission Control, everyone’s eyes were locked on the A14-R’s trajectory data. Time ticked by painfully slowly, and the tension in the room was palpable.
“…Calibration complete! Propulsion is aligned!” a controller called out, as the screen displayed that A14-R had successfully entered the rendezvous orbit.
Nobody responded. All focus remained on the mission ahead.
The rescue ship entered the final rendezvous phase. Through the porthole, David and Helen could see the distant Ares 14 return capsule—like a lonely star suspended in the darkness. The metal surface of the capsule glinted faintly under the soft light of the sun.
“Hey, we’ve made it.” David tapped the communication panel with a smile.
“Ares 14, this is A14-R. Do you copy?”
A brief silence followed. Then, through the static, a tired but jubilant voice responded:
“This is Ares 14. We’re still here. My God, it’s good to hear your voice.”
Helen pressed the docking button. Moments later, as the rescue ship drifted closer, the docking mechanism locked into place with a satisfying metallic clunk. ‘Docking complete,” Helen whispered with a sigh of relief.
Inside the return capsule, Charles Milan, Nemo Wilson, and Michael William James erupted into cheers. In the ground control center, operators hugged one another as applause and shouts of joy filled the airwaves.
As the capsule entered low Earth orbit, the three astronauts heard the familiar voice of NASA Mission Control over their headsets:
“Welcome home, Ares.”“Yes… We’re home,” Charles whispered. The three astronauts gazed out through the porthole at the blue planet below, their hearts filled with an overwhelming sense of relief and gratitude.
