Why Did the Crew Abandon Mars During the Storm in The Martian?

In the critically acclaimed film The Martian, the crew of the Ares 3 mission has to make a difficult decision to leave Mars when a severe dust storm threatens their safety. This decision sets off the central conflict of the film, as Mark Watney, left behind, must rely on his ingenuity and resourcefulness to survive alone on Mars until he can be rescued. In this article, we will explore the reasons behind this crucial decision and the events that led to the crew's departure from the Red Planet.

Understanding the Martian Environment

Mars, known for its harsh and unpredictable weather conditions, is a challenging environment for human exploration. The film The Martian accurately depicts the dangers of Martian dust storms. These storms can be extremely dangerous, with gusts strong enough to damage equipment and pose a significant risk to human life. In the movie, a massive dust storm poses a direct threat to the crew's safety, leading to a critical evacuation decision.

Components of Their Base

The crew's base consisted of two primary components: the Hab, a set of durable shelters, and the Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV), a rocket designed to transport them back to orbit. The mission was initially planned to last 31 days, with the crew living in the Hab before returning to Earth with the MAV.

Reasons for Mission Abandonment

The decision to abandon the mission was not made lightly. The crew faced two primary risks:

Survival of the Hab: The crew was uncertain whether the durability of the Hab would withstand such a severe storm. If the Hab had been destroyed or rendered uninhabitable, leaving Mark Watney to fend for himself would have been a disaster. Thankfully, the Hab survived the storm, but it was a close call. MAV Integrity: If the MAV were to tip over due to excessive wind force, it would render the crew trapped on Mars, which was a catastrophic scenario. The proximity of the MAV to the Hab increased the risk of losing it.

The Decision to Evacuate

The crew had to weigh two options:

Stay in the Hab, which was safe but risky due to the potential of the Hab being damaged. Go outside to the MAV, where they had a good chance of aborting the mission but increased risks of exposure to the storm.

Ultimately, the decision to evacuate was made to ensure the crew's safety. However, this decision came with its own set of challenges and risks.

Hindsight vs. Immediate Decision-Making

In hindsight, some argue that the crew should have gone to the MAV before the storm became too severe. This would have allowed them to wait out the storm more safely. However, the crew had very little notice about the severity of the approaching storm, making their decision more urgent and risky than it might seem in hindsight.

Incorrect Information in the Question

It's important to clarify a mistake in the question: there were not four astronauts who went out. All six members of the mission team went outside, and five made it to the MAV. Mark Watney was left behind because the crew mistakenly thought he had died during the storm.

In conclusion, the decision to leave Mars during the storm in The Martian was a critical moment for the crew. Balancing the risks of exposure to the storm and the potential for equipment damage led them to make the difficult choice to abandon their mission. This decision sets the stage for Watney's survival journey, showcasing his ingenuity and resilience in the face of severe adversity.