Mission to Mars

In 2020, the Mars I mission launches toward the red planet under the command of Luke Graham. The crew prepares for exploration and to assess how their findings could aid future colonization. The mission sets expectations for scientific discovery and resource potential on Mars.

The crew arrives in the Cydonia region and spots a bright white formation. They suspect it might be an extrusion from a subsurface geothermal water column that could help future settlements. The strange structure immediately raises questions about Martian geology and possible life.

They report their findings to the Earth-orbiting World Space Station and begin a closer examination of the formation. A faint, ominous low sound interrupts their communications as they collect data. Radar and sensors are tasked to reveal the formation's nature.

Initial radar readings identify the formation as metal, but increasing radar power triggers a large vortex that kills everyone on the crew except Luke. The crew's communications cut out as the vortex severs the link with Earth. Luke witnesses the destruction and is forced to survive alone.

After the vortex subsides, the formation's true nature is revealed as part of a gigantic humanoid face. The event generates an electromagnetic pulse that the World Space Station detects, followed by a distress message from Luke. Realizing Luke could not have left Mars, mission control decides to repurpose Mars II for a rescue attempt.

Months later, the Mars Rescue mission is assembled, carrying Commander Woody Blake, Terri Fisher, Jim McConnell, and technician Phil Ohlmyer. They prepare for a dangerous journey to Mars to retrieve Luke and investigate the vanished crew. The crew hopes to save their colleague and uncover the mystery of the formation.

As Mars Rescue nears Mars, satellite imagery of the formation area is overwhelmed with static. A micrometeoroid shower breaches the ship, damaging external fuel lines and causing engine explosions. The crew must abandon Mars II and take shelter in the Resupply Module, clinging to survival.

Woody launches toward the Resupply Module, attaches a tether, but loses his grip and begins descending toward the Martian atmosphere. Terri attempts a rescue, but with dwindling fuel, Woody removes his helmet to save her and dies.

The surviving crew lands on the Martian surface and begins repairing the ERV. They discover Luke living in a greenhouse and learn the glowing face is linked to the DNA pulses, hinting at a 3D model missing a chromosome pair. Jim deduces they must complete the sequence to pass a test.

The team sends a rover to broadcast the completed DNA sequence via radar, triggering an opening in the side of the structure. Terri, Luke, and Jim prepare to enter the opening before a looming dust storm reaches them. Phil stays behind to finish repairs on the ERV.

Inside, a three-dimensional projection shows Mars as a water-covered world struck by an asteroid and rendered uninhabitable. A holographic Martian lifeform explains that their people evacuated and seeded Earth with DNA before leaving. They offer to invite one human to join them on their new world.

Jim accepts the invitation and is sealed inside a capsule. Terri and Luke race back to the ERV to rescue him as a massive dust storm approaches. They barely escape by blasting off, sending Jim's capsule toward the Martians' home as their ship departs.