Joyner-Kersee won gold over Soviet Irina Belova
in last night's race.
And in Houston, more questions are being asked
in the wake of the Polaris hotel disaster
and the tragic deaths that occurred in Earth orbit.
NASA has vowed a full investigation
and review of its safety certification process,
while some in Congress are questioning NASA's lack of oversight.
Can you please turn that off?
-The tragedy has left the public asking-- -Yes, ma'am.
Ms. Baldwin.
Thank you for coming all the way out here.
Sure.
I am-- I'm truly sorry about Sam.
Thank you.
You two built something amazing together.
It's why I asked you here.
Is it not enough?
No, it's very generous.
So generous it makes me wonder why.
Our company's reputation is in tatters.
I mean, our debtors are calling in their loans.
I mean, if you were gonna sell Polaris off for parts,
you would make me a lowball offer.
But you are not just in this for the money.
No.
You know, I read somewhere you're testing a new methane engine.
From what I know,
methane doesn't offer much advantage for trips to the moon.
But it does to Mars.
From what I can tell, Helios doesn't have a ship
that could support a crew for a two-year trip.
So you must be five years away from building one.
Seven, actually.
But if you were to acquire a ship that could support human life,
let's say my hotel, and attach your new engines to it…
That's a fascinating theory.
You seriously think you can do it?
My dad came to this country with just a few shillings in his pocket.
And he got a degree and became an engineer.
He believed what Jack Kennedy said.
"In America… anything is possible."
I can still remember him sitting in that living room that night in '69,
glued to the TV,
watching the Soviets plant their red flag on the moon.
The tears were rolling down his cheeks.
I had never even seen him cry before.
Being first, it meant something.
But you are going up against the two wealthiest,
most powerful nations in the world.
And if they divide up Mars like they did the moon,
we'll never end this destructive cycle. This "us… versus them."
In Kenya, there's a Kiswahili word, "harambee."
It means "stronger together." Mutual responsibility.
That is what Helios is all about.
That! That's what's gonna push mankind to make the next leap forward.
Colonizing Mars, and the moons of Saturn and Jupiter.
I suppose now your price goes up.
That was a great speech.
I mean, it was worth at least another 10%.
Okay, Karen Baldwin. Done.
I'll have my lawyers draw up the paperwork.
Congratulations.
Five, four, three, two, one.
Make a hole, people! Coming through!
I need to see the generalissimo right fucking now.
She's not available.
-She still in Huntsville? -Yes.
Well, maybe you can explain this bullshit to me.
I-- I can't, 'cause I don't read-- I don't read braille.
I'll bet you transcribe every word the mistress of darkness spews from her lair.
What, she think I wouldn't notice this gem buried at the end?
"Astronaut candidates must conform to criteria
to be established by the Astronaut Candidate Qualifications Committee."
Ha! Committee of handpicked stooges, no doubt.
Of all the backstabbing, underhanded--
You're overreacting.
The committee is merely an advisory board that's ju--
Bullshit!
This is a power grab. Plain and simple.
-She's trying to force my hand. -Force your hand?
The Mars mission.
Our fearless leader needs to remember one thing.
I decide who goes up and when,
no matter what she writes in any goddamn memo!
Come on, Ollie. Let's go.
Listen, with your getting doctorates in advanced robotics
and your lunar experience, I think you are ideally suited
to command the Mars '98 mission.
The second mission to Mars.
So let me get this straight.
My advanced qualifications actually worked against me going first?
Well, yeah. They kinda did.
I don't suppose the fact that you and Ed go way back--
Don't go there, Dani. You and I go just as far.
I know.
But you're wrong on this one, Molly.
Well, it's my call, and that's how I see it.
Yeah, there's no argument you'd be better at handling the science.
Someone with your qualifications will be invaluable
once the first flight's proven it can be done
and we start building the infrastructure for a permanent base.
But Ed is first, last and always a test pilot.
And he's used to handling the unknown.
And a first flight to Mars
is full of huge unknowns.
He might not be the guy who's gonna find life on Mars.
But he is the guy who, I think, has the best chance of getting the mission done
and bringing everyone home alive.
This sucks.
Yeah, it does.
And I totally understand if you don't wanna lead his backup crew.
So you think about that, you let me know.
I don't need to think about it.
I'll back him up.
Whatever the program needs, whatever Ed needs,
I'll be there.
Now, as you can see, we can make methane, hydrogen and oxygen
from the atmosphere and water resources on Mars.
Now, the question I pose to you is
which technology offers the best trade-off for a long-duration Mars mission
with the goals we discussed?
Now, remember, it's not just about mass.
Keep in mind the power requirements for liquification, transportation
and storage in each case.
D-mail your analyses to me by next Wednesday.
Belay that, children. You can submit your work to Ken Muriata.
He will be taking over this class from now on.
Why?
Wasn't my call.
The Astronaut Candidate Qualification Committee has concerns
about your availability for the next couple of years.
Don't fuck with me, Molly.
Now, why would I do that, Admiral?
Because you're drunk with power.
I never should've given you that job.
Well, we all make decisions we regret.
I hope this doesn't turn out to be one of mine.
Seriously?
That's right.
Edward Baldwin is gonna command America's first mission to Mars.
Holy shit.
Holy shit!
-Do not fuck this up. -Fuck this up.
Hey there.
Danny! What are you doing here?
Came to pick up Mom's astronaut pin from Sam's office.
I remember the day that she got that.
Sam was always so proud of your mom. You know that?
He was proud of you too.
Way you pulled your life together after everything.
It's really great.
Glad you were able to sell the company.
At least you're walking away with some money.
Well, that's thanks to you.
If you hadn't have turned off that thruster, I--
I wouldn't even be standing here.
It wasn't completely altruistic. Saved my own ass too.
Guess I better get going.
Hey, Danny?
At the reception…
why did you play it?
Play what?
That song.
It was Amber's idea.
She's a Billy Swan fan too.
Well, it's a great song.
Yeah.
Good night.
-Karen? -Yeah?
I lied just then.
About the song. About you and me.
-About everything. Look, just listen. -Danny--
Okay, the day of the wedding, I felt sick to my stomach.
I didn't know exactly what it was
until I was out there with the world spinning below me, but…
in that moment, I wasn't thinking about Amber.
-I don't want to hear this. -All I was thinking about was you.
-That's not okay. -It's the truth.
-I don't care. I don't wanna hear it. -I thought about your eyes.
-What? Oh, my God. -The smell of your hair, your lips.
-Go. Get out of here. -How I might never see you again.
Hey! Stop it, right now. Stop it!
That's enough!
Jesus, I thought that you moved beyond all of this!
I tried.
You don't know how hard I tried.
Okay, well, I'm not going through it again.
You're not gonna start calling me in the middle of the night again
and showing up at my house drunk.
It's not gonna happen, okay?
You have to move on.
Please.
It was a mistake, okay? I'm sorry.
It never should have happened.
Is it because of Ed?
What?
I saw the way you both were at the wedding.
I can't believe you're gonna get back with that son of a bitch.
Oh, my God, Danny.
The way he talks down to you, to everyone,
like he's God's gift to this world or something.
Danny, this has nothing to do with Ed.
Nothing! Okay?
You need to go home to your wife.
But I like John.
He and I see eye to eye on most issues, and we have a great rapport.
It's not about rapport.
It's about choosing a vice president that'll add value to the ticket.
Picking a moderate like McCain--
Will help me attract Democrats.
He favors lower taxes and spending, and less regulation,
but he's also pretty socially liberal and a war hero.
If something happened to me, he'd make a great president.
Well, we wouldn't really need to worry about that
if you don't become president in the first place.
You don't need another you.
You need someone who will shore up your weaknesses.
Clinton's up by six in most polls,
and he's got a 20-point edge with male voters.
Yeah, it doesn't matter that I'm a former astronaut
who put my life on the line for over a decade.
I'm running in a party that's infatuated with alpha males,
so I need one on the ticket. Is that it?
Exactly. Preferably someone who will excite the evangelicals.
That's why I want you to give another look at Bragg.
It doesn't have to be someone you like.
It has to be someone the base likes.
You know what he said about Mars?
He's in favor of a manned mission.
Because, he says, Mars is in the same orbit as Earth
and has canals full of water.
Okay, he's a little fuzzy on the science. You'll bring him up to speed.
The point is, he's a founding member of the Conservatives for Jesus Christ.
Yeah.
Are we sure we want someone that far right on the ticket?
It's not about what we want. It's about what we need.
Okay. Set up a meeting, but I am not making any promises.
-Daddy! -Oh, geez!
Evil hand! Evil hand!
Evil hand, you know, I haven't seen him. I think the coast is clear.
Look out, Daddy!
-Oh, geez! He's coming for ya! -Mommy! Help, Mommy!
Get back, evil hand! Get back.
-There it comes over here. -Get back, evil hand!
-Other side. -Uh-oh. Uh-oh.
Uh-oh.
Yeah, Scotty!
You did it! The victor!
-Way to go, Admiral. -Thanks.
Hi, Bob.
Hope that thing doesn't slow you down too much.
Nah. Just can't drive a clutch for a few weeks.
I rented one of those new electric roadsters.
No gears. Just raw power.
Does zero to 60 in 3.4 seconds.
Sweet!
Congratulations on Mars.
Looks like NASA still values age over beauty.
Hell no! This assignment cost me a whole case of Glenfiddich.
You know, Molly, she don't sway easy.
-Don't I know it. -Look, I promise you,
I'll leave a whole crate of whatever libation you fancy up there on Mars.
Just so long as that geriatric cadaver of yours doesn't wither away first.
There is zero chance of that. Everything is still rock solid.
Except that leg.
It'll heal soon enough.
I hope so.
Because if you stumble, even for just one second,
I'm gonna swoop in and steal your seat in a heartbeat.
Me and my backup crew are gonna be breathing down your neck
all the way to launch.
I expect nothing less.
Come on. Come on.
Hey, Dad. How's your leg?
It's fine. Which you'd know if you ever returned my calls.
I know. I'm sorry.
Anyways. I got some news for you.
Don't tell me. Yvonne cracked up another car?
No.
You might as well know.
She and I have-- We're splitting up.
Wow. Less than a year. That's a new record for you.
You could at least pretend to be sad about it.
You're right. I'm sorry. That was mean.
So, where are you moving now?
Not back to the Shamrock, I hope.
No. I actually found a great new neighborhood.
I think you'll love it.
Really? Where?
In this area right here.
You got the mission?
Holy shit!
Congrats, Dad!
Yeah. I got it.
And word is the Russian engine's got some serious teething problems,
so, you bet your ass the US of A's gonna win this race.
And here's a kicker.
How'd you like to come with me?
Where, to Mars?
You've been preparing for this your whole life, Kel.
Would NASA ever risk letting a family fly together on a mission like this?
Well, your old man's still got some pull at the office.
Me and Molly got an understanding.
Yeah, the geezer network.
This is a chance for you to get your head out of the snow, kiddo,
and back into the sky.
I don't know. I--
I'd have to put my research down here on hold for four, maybe five years.
I offer you a chance to be one of the first humans on Mars,
and you're talking about research?
I just don't get it.
Four years of Annapolis, two years of flight school.
You aced your astronaut training and your first trip to Skylab.
But instead of going back to space,
you're chasing bacteria in the ass-end of the world.
This research is teaching us how life might have evolved on Mars.
We found a strain of Sphingomonas dessicabilus
that could survive the extreme cold up there.
So come with me, bring some swing-a-lings with you,
and figure out how to grow some shit up there.
Sphingomonas.
Swingabangas. That's what I said.
So…
Are you in?
Of course I'm in.
Attagirl! It'll be just like old times.
I love you. Always.
Love you too, Dad. Always.
Bye.
-Hey. -Hey.
That scampi sure does smell good.
Just be careful you don't overcook that shrimp.
A good commander doesn't micromanage her crew.
Guess that's why I didn't get the mission.
Molly gave Mars to Ed.
I'm his backup.
Baby, I'm so sorry.
I know how much you wanted it.
You don't seem all that broken up about it.
Well…
I gotta admit I am kind of relieved.
I thought you were okay about me going.
Look, I knew space was dangerous. But it was kind of…
an abstraction. You know?
After what we went through up there.
I know, I-- It's real now. I get it.
But I am still slated to go up in 1998. You know that.
I know.
But at least Isaiah will be out of school, and he could use all the help he can get.
I don't need help.
Your midterms would suggest otherwise.
You know I like to come from behind. I'm on it.
Was studying just now.
Is that why I heard all that simulated gunfire from your room?
So, why are we talking about you being home?
Mr. Baldwin was selected for the Mars mission.
They picked the old white guy. Shocker.
He gonna take a walker and colostomy bag up with him?
Okay, come on now.
Hey, the good news is I will be around to help you out with that AP history paper.
What's the subject again?
John Adams.
John Adams, stuffing the courts with Federalist judges.
The age-old issue. States' rights versus big government.
Ellen Wilson and Bill Clinton are having that exact argument today.
This is going to be so fun.
Now I really wish you got that commander job.
Careless spending led Governor Bill Clinton
to increase the sales tax in Arkansas by 33%.
And now he's hoping to become president
so he can increase the Federal government's spending by $220 billion,
forcing every American to pay more taxes.
This is why we need a true American hero to fight for us.
Senator Ellen Wilson will just say no
to Clinton's disastrous tax-and-spend policies.
And that's why I'm running for president.
Let's build a better future. Together.
When your favorite pan is a great grimy mess,
try our new lemon-scented degreasing formula.
Very excited to have you here, sir.
Governor Bragg. Thank you for coming on such short notice.
I'm sure you have a lot on your plate.
Well, somehow, I'm guessing not as much as you, ma'am.
Honored to be here.
Sorry about all the mess.
We're in the process of moving our campaign headquarters
to a larger building, and it's been a bit chaotic.
Believe me, I understand.
We just had the Governor's Mansion renovated last year,
and I am still trying to find my favorite pair of cuff links.
Well, we haven't had much in the way of personal interaction,
but I've always admired the straightforward way you carry yourself.
I like to think we have that in common.
I couldn't agree more.
I have been a fan of yours ever since--
Well, you know.
-The tank? -The tank.
Heck, that was something. I'm sure you hear that a lot.
Only every day.
Well, I've been keeping an eye on you ever since,
and your voice in the Senate has been so valuable to the party.
You're bringing us into the 21st century.
Kicking and screaming, to be sure.
Thank you for saying that.
So, as I'm sure Larry made you aware,
I'm considering my options for a running mate.
And before I make my final choice,
I wanted to have a frank conversation with you.
-Only kind worth having. -Good.
There are several areas where you and I don't see eye to eye.
Stem cell research, for example.
True. I do not support stem cell research.
I am staunchly pro-life.
As am I,
but this is a promising area of scientific research that could save lives.
Look, I want my vice president to be someone I can rely on
for their honest, unvarnished opinion.
Always.
But I also need that person to be on the same team,
even if they don't agree with every decision I make or every position I hold.
There will be times when I call on my vice president
to advocate for something they don't agree with.
Is this something you feel you could handle, Governor?
Are there sacrifices that have to be made? Of course.
But sacrifice is a part of any journey.
Ma'am, I'm going to be straight with you, as you've been with me.
There is no one I would rather be following into a fray
than a true American hero like yourself.
It has been too long that the Republican Party has been defined
by people that look like me.
I would be honored if asked to serve with you.
-Hey. You're back early. -Hey.
The electromagnetic containment guys have the goods?
It's very promising.
Great. I-- You know, I gotta say, I'm a little annoyed.
Why?
Well--
I had a double sawbuck on Danielle to command Mars '96.
Thought it was a sure thing.
I mean, don't get me wrong, I understand why you went with Ed, but--
Wait, wait. What did you say?
No, just--
I mean, you're picking Ed for commander.
Right?
Personality traits must be altered,
which means Babe Ruth will be stuck with what the organization initially selected.
Easy, Ollie.
Can you tell me why I have to hear that you picked Ed Baldwin as commander
from Bill Strausser?
Well, I put it in a memo.
I guess you didn't have a chance to read mine yet.
We agreed to continue discussing it when I returned.
Here you are, and here we are discussing it.
Oh, come on. You went behind my back when I was out of town.
Behind your back?
You mean like putting together a bogus committee for selecting the ASCANs?
Those are some of the finest scientific minds at this agency.
Oh, come on. You are trying to cut the balls off this office
just like you have every other department in this entire agency
over the last ten years.
That's what you think I'm doing?
You don't like having someone around who doesn't kowtow to your every whim.
I don't care how many friends you got in Washington.
-I will not allow you to steamroll-- -Allow?
You will not allow?
Molly, this isn't the '60s,
and NASA's not the same place it was when Deke was around.
And your blind refusal--
-That's not what I meant. -I know what you fucking meant.
I'm done debating this with you. My job is to assign all the flight crews,
including who will command the Mars '96 mission.
So I did my job.
-You should not have done that. -Well, what's done is done.
No, what's done is now undone.
You're fired, Molly.
You wouldn't dare.
I would. And I did.
Leave your badge at the desk on your way out.
Admiral Baldwin's here.
-Hey, Ed. -Hey.
Have a seat.
Did you get a chance to look at my crew wish list yet?
Ed, we need to talk.
I know. It's about Kelly, right?
Look, I get it. But it's not just 'cause she's my daughter.
-She's abundantly qualified-- -Ed, it's not about that.
Okay.
You're not going to command the Mars mission.
What?
-No, M-- Molly-- -Jumped.
Jumped the gun. Danielle Poole is the agency's choice.
I don't understand.
Ed, you're a great commander. No one questions that.
But Danielle's got a broader skill set in planetary science and--
This is bullshit.
Jerking me around like this.
I know. And I apologize.
Wait, what the hell happened? Why isn't Molly telling me this?
Because it's my call.
And Molly no longer works here.
-As of when? -As of today.
So who's her replacement?
Going forward, flight crews will be determined
by mission parameters as defined by a selection committee.
By a selection committee.
So the weenies and the white coats are finally calling all the shots.
I know this new system will take some adjustment.
Adjustment! Hell.
The whole reason Deke built this system was so we know
that the guy making the call has had his ass on the line just like us.
But now it's just a bunch of pencil-pushing sycophants.
Bravo, Margo. I hope you're proud of yourself.
-No way. -Look at him go!
-He's crushing him. -There it is!
-Off to a strong start. -There it is. All right.
-Yo, Bombshell's gonna crush it. -Come on. I wouldn't put my money on him.
-He's gonna crush it. -Look!
Look. He's crushing him.
-He's crushing him. He's crushing him. -Come on.
He got him up in the air!
Oh, man.
This hurts to just watch this.
-Bombshell being destroyed. -Hello?
Man.
-That's horrible. -Hey, Margo.
Hey. Yeah.
Let the bot battle begin, and here comes Bombshell with that package…
You're kidding me.
What happened to Ed?
Why?
Oh, my God. Margo, I'm-- I am so excited.
And you are not gonna regret this. Yeah? I promise.
Yeah. See you tomorrow.
Oh, my God.
Oh, my.
I never thought she'd do it. I guess times really have changed.
This is not the agency we signed up for. That's for damn sure.
I'm just glad Deke's not alive to see it.
To Deke. Buzz.
To you and me, a dying breed.
You want this back?
Pretty sure my short game is as good as it's going to get.
Probably get some good money for it down at the Outpost.
It's an authentic astronaut souvenir.
The Outpost.
There's another great institution gone to hell.
Yeah. Just like the two of us.
Rosales, come on. Let's get you checked in.
Okay, Rin. Let's go.
-Thank you. -Have a good day.
Scotch on the rocks. Thanks.
Hi, Bob.
I don't even feel like saying that in here anymore.
It feels wrong.
Anyways, congratulations.
First person on Mars.
Ed, this is not how I wanted things to go down.
You know that.
I'm sorry.
You didn't do anything. NASA did.
Bean counters have taken over.
Gordo called this.
Saw this bullshit coming way back when we were on Jamestown.
There's no room for pioneers.
Who's the birthday girl?
Three, two, one.
Liftoff!
Happy birthday!
Liftoff.
Well, in four years, you'll be 140 million miles away from this bullshit.
I'll probably be over there in that corner signing souvenirs.
Not likely. Nobody here will have any idea who the hell you are.
Probably not.
I guess I'll always wonder
why I didn't land Apollo 10 when I had the chance.
But at least that was my own doing.
This, you know-- Just having it taken away from--
And for--
For what?
Dani.
I know what you're capable of.
I trained you. I've flown with you. Hell, I gave you your first command.
But?
But we both know there are other factors at play here.
Other factors?
Like what, Ed?
Come on, Dani.
You're a damn fine astronaut. Nobody's disputing that.
But if this were a level playing field,
I'd be commanding this mission, and you know it.
I don't even know what to say.
I've heard crap like that my whole life, but I never thought I'd hear it from you.
Dani.
Hey. Dani.
Come on.
What's wrong?
I lost my watch.
I'm sure it's around somewhere. You'll find it. You always do.
Is Javi there?
Sí, sí…
Javi!
You and Vic getting along?
I get along with him.
He doesn't get along with me.
Papá, please try to make it work between you two, okay?
-I can't-- -Hi, Mommy.
Hi, baby. Do you know where I am?
I'm on the moon.
-Uh-huh. -I'm on the Jamestown Base.
You've seen it on TV, right?
I am working on Sojourner 1,
which is this big ship that'll take people from the moon to Mars four years from now.
Your mamá is working on the engines that will take it there.
He's watching the DuckTales.
Papá, it's real.
I'm actually here. I'm on the moon.
Can you believe it?
No. Your mother would be so proud.
So proud of you.
Yeah, I wish she was here too.
Aleida, I need to find my watch. I'm sorry.
I have to make dinner at 6:00.
I need to find my watch.
Have you looked on the bedside table?
-Maybe someone stole it. -No one stole your watch.
Papá?
And now a man you know well, your governor, Jim Bragg.
Although unexpected,
Senator Wilson's choice of Governor James Bragg as her running mate
is considered by many political analysts to be a savvy political move
by the Republican nominee.
Governor Bragg's strong and consistent conservative positions
are expected to solidify the evangelical vote.
Ed?
Jesus, what the hell are you doing here?
Goddamn toy car.
Hey, are you all right?
Well, you're bleeding.
Goddamn rosebushes.
Okay. Well, I guess we're gonna go in and get you cleaned up.
Goddamn boot.
I'll be pushing 70 by the time the next Mars mission launches.
You think they'll be bringing on a geriatric?
Fuck no.
So what's left?
More milk runs to the moon?
Maytag repairs in low Earth orbit?
I'm closer to the end than the beginning, Kar.
It's not how I wanted to go out.
I know. You hate it when I mope.
How you holding up with everything?
Heard you sold the company.
Yep.
Yeah? I mean, that's not the reaction you'd expect
from someone with millions of dollars in their bank account.
Polaris was supposed to be this whole new chapter.
Now it's just gone.
I guess this is the…
big, beautiful tomorrow we used to always dream of.
A lot less shiny than I thought it would be.
Yeah.
You ever wonder…
What?
…what our lives would have been like if we hadn't met that day?
You mean if I hadn't have run into a burst pipe on Penfield Avenue
and taken Friar on the way to school instead
and run into you in a vacant lot setting off bottle rockets?
I guess you have thought about it.
Only once or twice.
Who knows?
Maybe I would have done something completely different.
Come on, Ed.
You not be an astronaut? Yeah, right.
Civil engineer, maybe.
You know, my first year at Annapolis, I thought about it.
About leaving the Academy.
-Really? -Yeah.
It was pure hell. I missed home.
I missed you.
So why didn't you?
I wanted to fly.
And I… didn't wanna let you down.
I guess I did that anyway. Too many times.
So why in the world a civil engineer, Ed?
Be nice to build something that lasts.
Like a bridge. Or a dam.
I mean, I've been flying for, what, 40 years…
-Yeah. -…and what do I have to show for it?
Handful of medals. Mission patches.
Faded photographs in newspapers.
Enough to fill a shoebox in the closet.
Hi. I'm Karen Baldwin, here to see Dev.
-All right. -Okay.
Is this your first time at Helios?
Yes, it is.
If you get a chance after your meeting, check out Building 2.
That's where we assemble our rockets.
We got this 3D printer to make our engine parts.
Dramatically reduces our production costs and does wonders for quality control.
Okay.
Thank you, Renee.
Karen.
Is this your office?
-Is something wrong? -No, no.
I don't know, I just-- I thought you would have an office.
We don't have a hierarchical structure here.
We're a collective. Remember?
So what'd you want to see me about?
Well, I was wondering if you had chosen a commander for your mission to Mars.
-Not yet. -How come?
After our modifications to your hotel, the spacecraft will be mostly automated.
The crew will largely be caretakers.
Okay. But you still need a strong leader.
Indeed.
Thankfully, we have a lot of qualified astronauts here at Helios.
Hey. Do you want a yerba maté?
Sure.
Look, a Helium-3 truck driver isn't really going to cut it.
You're going up against NASA and the Soviets.
I mean, if you intend to tell the world
you're going to slap an outboard motor on my hotel and drive it to Mars,
Wall Street's gonna laugh at you.
You need somebody who can lend you credibility,
somebody with a long, legendary résumé
who can galvanize the public's imagination.
They'll be galvanized when we land on Mars before anybody else.
If you land.
What happens when something goes wrong out there?
Communication between there and Earth can take up to eight minutes,
and you need somebody on the scene who can improvise,
adapt and overcome.
Somebody who isn't gonna buckle under pressure
but, in fact, thrives under it.
Why do I get the feeling you got somebody in mind?
My ex-husband.
I assumed NASA was selecting him for their mission.
Ed's unhappy with the way things are being run over there.
Of course he is.
He's looking for his next challenge.
And I think he might just love what you're trying to do here.
You mean what we are doing here?
Hey, everybody. Bring it in.
This is Karen Baldwin.
And she just pitched me a very interesting idea.
What do you guys think about having Ed Baldwin command our expedition to Mars?
-Love it. -That'd be radical.
Yeah.
Like having Babe Ruth on your baseball team.
Babe Ruth's dead.
I'm pretty sure Ed Baldwin's not too far behind.
No offense.
But he's got the right experience,
and no one's ever flown a ship like this.
Exactly.
And he's probably stuck in his ways like everyone else at NASA.
This is about leadership. The mission's over two years long.
We need somebody like him.
I hear what you're saying, but maybe we should give somebody new a chance.
I think it's a no-brainer.
He should have been first to the moon.
Let's make him first to Mars.
Interesting points of view.
All in favor, raise your hands.
Okay. I will talk to Ed.
-Karen. -Yes?
-I forgot one thing. -Yeah?
Come work for me. You practically already are.
What? You're offering me a job?
Doing what?
Whatever you want.
What does that mean?
There's no official titles here,
no real hierarchy.
So start with doing what you did for Polaris.
You recruited the best astronauts,
engineers and flight controllers in the business.
You know where the talent lies,
and you know how to hook 'em.
I appreciate the offer, Dev. I do. But I don't think so.
Karen.
So you rolled the dice on a wild idea and it didn't pan out.
So what?
Show me somebody who never failed,
and I will show you somebody who never took risks.
I can't do it again. I'm really sorry.
What better tribute to Sam's life
than to help me take what the two of you built to the Red Planet.
Aleida Rosales worked out the NERVA glitch in the lunar shipyard,
so we have that back on the timeline.
But we can't afford another slip like that.
Ninety-six sounds pretty far away,
but those four years are gonna be gone before we can draw a breath.
Well, let's get started on the crew then.
The sooner we get them in the loop,
the faster we can get the hardware and mission design up to speed.
I have Ed's crew wish list here. He'd already reached out to them.
He wanted his daughter on the trip?
If you want her or any of them, just say so.
If not, you'll have to give them the bad news.
Well, I already got some ideas about who I want in my right seat.
Now, as you know, he's a damn good pilot,
and his knowledge of advanced avionics will come in real handy up there.
Excuse me.
What is it?
There's something on the news you may wanna see.
Thanks, Nuri.
Soloflex. Simple--
Flame-broiled perfection.
And I'd like to welcome the co-founder of Polaris,
Karen Baldwin, to the Helios family.
So now he wants to be the next Conrad Hilton?
Some say private citizens have no business in space travel.
Well, I emphatically disagree.
The first hot-air balloon to carry a human being aloft
was designed by the Montgolfier brothers.
The first powered aircraft was built by a pair of bicycle makers,
Wilbur and Orville Wright.
Charles Lindbergh made the first solo flight across the Atlantic
in a plane built by a private company.
And Robert Goddard,
he built the first liquid-fueled rocket that streaked into the heavens
on his little farm in Auburn, Massachusetts.
We acquired Polaris to enable us to embark on a bold new expedition,
taking us where no man has gone before.
By adding our groundbreaking new Osprey-methane engines to it,
we will propel this one-of-a-kind spacecraft
out of Earth orbit on an epic journey of exploration…
to Mars.
Ladies and gentlemen of the world,
I am thrilled to present to you…
Phoenix.
We will establish a free enterprise zone on the Red Planet
so that innovation and economic development will thrive,
building a new colony, a new society benefiting all people.
But don't take my word for it.
Take the word of the man who will command our mission.
A living legend whose experience reaches back
to the earliest days of space exploration.
The man who commanded the first lunar base,
staying alone when his crew had to return to Earth.
The first commander to operate a nuclear engine in space.
Ed Baldwin.
-What the… -…hell?
Thanks, Dev.
Ed Baldwin won't have to wait four years to lead our expedition.
We'll be going in the next Mars launch window, 1994,
a full two years before NASA or the Soviet Union.
The future belongs to all of us.
Way to go, Ed.
Stick it to the bastards.