How Big Is the Hermes From the Martian?

Have you ever wondered how big the Hermes spacecraft from “The Martian” really is? In the movie, it is depicted as a massive vessel that carries a crew to and from Mars.

But just how big is it? Let’s take a closer look.

The Hermes: A Brief Overview

In the movie “The Martian,” the Hermes spacecraft is a vital part of the story. It’s responsible for transporting the crew of the Ares III mission to and from Mars.

The Hermes is an ion-powered vessel with six individual modules that are connected by a central hub. Each module houses different systems, such as life support, propulsion, and communication.

The Size of the Hermes

The Hermes spacecraft is massive, measuring approximately 97 meters (318 feet) in length and 75 meters (246 feet) in width. To put that into perspective, it’s about the size of two football fields put together! The central hub that connects all six modules has a diameter of 25 meters (82 feet).

Comparing to Other Spacecraft

When compared to other spacecraft, such as NASA’s Space Shuttle or International Space Station (ISS), the Hermes is significantly larger. The Space Shuttle had a length of just over 37 meters (122 feet), while the ISS measures around 109 meters (358 feet) in length.

How Was It Built?

In “The Martian,” we see that NASA built the Hermes in space using resources from Earth and Mars. The materials were transported using multiple unmanned missions before being assembled by astronauts on-site. This method was chosen because launching an entire spacecraft from Earth would have been too expensive and impractical.

The Significance of Size

The size of the Hermes was crucial for its role in “The Martian.” With its spacious living quarters and ample supply storage, the crew was able to survive for an extended period in space. Additionally, the large size allowed for a centrifugal gravity system to be implemented, which provided a comfortable level of artificial gravity during the long journey.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Hermes spacecraft from “The Martian” is an impressive feat of engineering. Its massive size allowed for various systems to be integrated and facilitated extended stays in space. Although it is fictional, it’s interesting to see how science fiction can inspire real-world space exploration and development.