Mars: Season 1

Season overview

Set in the year 2033, the first season of the hard science-fiction series Mars chronicles the maiden voyage of the Daedalus spacecraft. The narrative follows an expert crew of astronauts as they navigate the final ninety seconds of their descent to the red planet. Upon arrival, the mission focuses on the immense challenges of establishing the first sustainable human colony on Mars. The crew must push themselves to the absolute brink of human capability to survive the harsh environment and achieve their objective. The series structure is unique, as it blends scripted dramatic elements set in the future with documentary vérité interviews featuring experts from the present day. This hybrid approach provides context for the quest to colonize Mars, contrasting the fictional mission of the Daedalus with real-world scientific perspectives. Produced by National Geographic, the series premiered in November 2016, initially launching in a streaming format before its television broadcast. Throughout the season, the story examines the technical and personal stakes of interplanetary exploration, detailing the rigorous training and resources required for such an ambitious endeavor. The production maintains a focus on the gritty reality of space travel, emphasizing the extreme conditions the astronauts face while attempting to secure a permanent human presence on another world.