“Reentry complete, jettisoning heat shield and beginning the decent burn.” The lander pilot gave updates to mission control using the orbital return vehicle as a relay, it would be nearly 20 minutes before any of them could hear it and 20 more before they could respond, but it was still important to keep mission control as updated as possible. The crew hears the bang of explosive bolts blowing away the heat shield, and a few second later the landing engine comes on. It’s a relief to know that the engine still works after the 7 month flight here, but the most dangerous part is still yet to come.

Before long the lander touches down. He landing is a bit rough but nobody expected anything more of a first landing. While everyone else gets the lander powered down for our extended stay, I get suited up to go outside. The others would follow soon, but as the mission commander I was the one chosen to be the first man on Mars. It’s certainly stressful knowing that what I’m about to do will be recorded to be seen by the entire world and many generations to come.

After going through the airlock I descend the ladder and stand on the landing leg. “I’m glad we had that artificial gravity ring, otherwise I’d probably have fallen over by now.” I joke with the rest of the crew. As I finally set foot on the Martian surface I say the words I had planned for years in preparation for this moment. “On Luna we took our first steps, now we