Film Planetary Science

‘The Martian’ is entertaining science fiction rooted in fact

With NASA’s help, filmmakers made story of astronaut stranded on Mars believable

Damon with rover

In The Martian, Matt Damon rests against the tire of his rover while solar panels recharge the batteries.

Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

By Tina Hesman Saey

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Scientists are used to suspending disbelief when they go to movies. But The Martian, opening October 2, offers a mostly realistic view of conditions astronauts might encounter on Mars.

The movie “is a vision of a future we can step into and make happen,” says Jim Green, director of NASA’s planetary science division and a science adviser to director Ridley Scott.