This a near-future story of the first manned NASA human mission to Mars. The launch takes place next year. The story is told through the eyes of the space-ship’s medical doctor, who has to deal with totally unforeseen medical disasters, in remote outer-space and zero-gravity conditions. The fourteen astronauts are a motley crew of unlikely individuals, who redefine the meaning of being of "The Right Stuff". A mutiny happens amongst the crew. Unplanned pregnancies happen. The doctor has to provide leadership, for which he was not trained. Surgery even has to be done during a space-walk. The doctor has to figure out how to do that. The problem he resolves is the ultimate challenging medical case. The doctor himself, is a last-minute desperation crew-appointee. Everything that is part of his career failure and personality oddness, contributes to his being the right person at the right moment. The outcome of the trip changes history and world politics. This is a lesson for humanity. The reader will never forget the last line of the book. Do not read that line, until you have read the entire book first. 

This a near-future story of the first manned NASA human mission to Mars. The launch takes place next year. The story is told through the eyes of the space-ship’s medical doctor, who has to deal with totally unforeseen medical disasters, in remote outer-space and zero-gravity conditions. The fourteen astronauts are a motley crew of unlikely individuals, who redefine the meaning of being of "The Right Stuff". A mutiny happens amongst the crew. Unplanned pregnancies happen. The doctor has to provide leadership, for which he was not trained. Surgery even has to be done during a space-walk. The doctor has to figure out how to do that. The problem he resolves is the ultimate challenging medical case. The doctor himself, is a last-minute desperation crew-appointee. Everything that is part of his career failure and personality oddness, contributes to his being the right person at the right moment. The outcome of the trip changes history and world politics. This is a lesson for humanity. The reader will never forget the last line of the book. Do not read that line, until you have read the entire book first.