The story begins on Mars, where the Ares III crew is struck by a violent storm. During the emergency evacuation, astronaut Mark Watney is hit by debris and presumed dead. His commander, Melissa Lewis, makes the difficult decision to leave him behind to save the rest of the crew. Unbeknownst to them, Watney survives. He is now alone on a desolate planet, with limited supplies, no way to communicate with Earth, and a rescue mission that is years away. What follows is a remarkable tale of survival. Mark, a botanist and mechanical engineer, uses his skills and scientific knowledge to "science the hell out of this." He grows potatoes using his own waste as fertilizer in a makeshift greenhouse inside the living quarters, known as "The Hab". Meanwhile, on Earth, NASA discovers he is alive and races against time to bring him home. The satellite technician, Mindy Park, spots signs of life on satellite images, setting off a global effort to rescue Watney. The narrative is interwoven with problem-solving sequences, wit, and a profound sense of hope.