On the Hermes, each of the crew members takes advantage of their proximity to Earth to contact their loved ones. By taking on this mission, they have voluntarily lengthened their mission by an additional 533 days, during which time anything could go wrong. Each crew member has a conversation with their loved ones, explaining their decision. It is clear that they are all making sacrifices to execute this plan—Martinez will miss more of his son’s childhood, Vogel’s mother’s health is failing and he might not make it home in time to see her. Johanssen shares with her father the plan the crew has made in case of a resupply failure: The rest of the crew will immediately all take a pill and die, except for her because she is the smallest. She will continue the mission with existing supplies and even resort to cannibalism.

Meanwhile, on Earth, Teddy and Venkat go to China to observe and take part in the launch of the resupply probe. The launch is a success, and the probe docks at the Hermes. The Hermes is now officially on the return trip to Mars.