Despondent after a failed mission to colonize Mars, the crew of the Resolution discover an astronaut from the doomed Skylab program floating in space who may hold the key to saving the soon-to-be-dismantled space program.

SYNOPSIS:

In the darkness of space, the shuttle Resolution flies back from Mars. DEE ROSACCI (Science Pilot/second-in-command) and her crew (computer scientist NATE, geologist CLAUDIA, co-pilot BRYCE, bio-chemist MASH), despondent after failing to prove Mars as a viably livable planet, go through the futile motions of testing the samples collected. Unless they happen upon a miracle, the space program will be dismantled and funds redirected to build the current administration’s border wall.

Back in Houston, project leader, STANLEY BOLDEN gets a visit from MARTIN COOK, liaison to the White House tasked with shutting down the space program in return for a coveted cabinet position. Cook chides Schneider that the financial black hole space program is near death, cutting resources essential to the mission.

When veteran shuttle commander, APOLLO GIBSON, spots a freezer-like object floating in their path, Dee argues to bring the debris aboard. In a hurry to land and start his retirement, the disillusioned Apollo fights against diverting their mission. Dee prevails and once they open the container, they discover BOBBY VARGA, an astronaut from the failed 1970’s Skylab space station, in suspended animation. Dee convinces the crew that if they can find out how Bobby was kept alive, they could save the space program. Dee alerts Schneider about Bobby’s existence who is unable to keep it a secret from Cook.

As Bobby’s memory returns, the crew brings him up to speed on the last 40 years, but all he can do is look forward to seeing his wife, Melissa, again. When Cook (with Apollo’s help) cuts the information resources needed to solve the Hibernation Equation, the crew is unable to figure out how Bobby rigged the Freezer to put him in suspended animation. While Bobby copes with hard truths about his country and society, he learns that his wife committed suicide after he didn’t return. After an initial rush of adrenaline, his brain begins to deteriorate, unable to solve the Hibernation Equation. Cook, on direct orders from the president informs the crew that, under pain of federal imprisonment, they are to keep Bobby’s existence a secret and he will be remanded into custody upon touch-down.

Bobby loses the will to live as his condition worsens until Nate finds a way to reactivate their internet connection and discovers that Bobby has a daughter he never knew about. Claudia learns a way to temporarily kick-start Bobby’s brain but he may not survive re-entry.

Bobby takes the chance to solve the Hibernation Equation and save the space program, knowing he may never meet his daughter. Having a crisis of conscience, Apollo breaks Cook’s order and coordinates a social media onslaught to inform the public about Bobby’s existence. Bobby is able to send a message to his daughter before he dies as the Resolution enters Earth’s atmosphere. Bobby’s daughter, MADISON, visits Dee on her last day at NASA with a message from Bobby – the key to the Hibernation Equation.