# Stand by for Mars! — Chapters explained

> Chapter companions for Stand by for Mars! by Carey Rockwell.

- [Arrival at Space Academy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/chapters/i.md): Tom Corbett and other cadet candidates arrive at Space Academy, where they face immediate discipline from Warrant Officer McKenny. Tom is singled out as an example, and later, Roger Manning tricks Astro into carrying his
- [II](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/chapters/ii.md): Tom Corbett and his fellow cadets face their first day at Space Academy, beginning with classification tests administered by Dr. Joan Dale. The chapter introduces the pressure of the exams, the threat of washing out, and
- [III](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/chapters/iii.md): Captain Steve Strong and Dr. Joan Dale discuss the persistent friction in Unit 42-D, focusing on cadets Tom Corbett, Roger Manning, and Astro. Despite their individual strengths, the unit struggles with interpersonal con
- [IV](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/chapters/iv.md): Captain Strong confronts Unit 42-D about their constant infighting, emphasizing the importance of unity and teamwork. He shares the story of his own unit, including the sacrifice of Sam Jones, to inspire the cadets. Desp
- [The Boxing Match](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/chapters/v.md): Tom, Roger, and Astro set up an improvised boxing ring in the gym. Tom and Roger engage in a brutal, multi-round fight, with Roger using dirty tactics. Despite being knocked down twice, Tom wins with a final punch but Ro
- [VI](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/chapters/vi.md): As the manual examinations approach, Captain Strong and Commander Walters discuss the fragile progress of Unit 42-D. Tom and Roger each perform brilliantly on their tests, but Astro struggles with the theoretical materia
- [VII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/chapters/vii.md): Tom learns from senior cadet Al Dixon that Roger has been betting on their unit's success, leading to a confrontation. Roger reveals he deliberately provoked Astro to ensure he passed the manual exam. Astro passes, but R
- [VIII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/chapters/viii.md): Tom and Astro argue about Roger's difficult behavior and consider requesting a transfer from their unit. Tom goes to see Captain Strong but instead discovers Roger alone in Galaxy Hall, crying before the wreckage of the 
- [The Polaris](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/chapters/ix.md): Tom, Roger, and Astro are awarded the Polaris, the newest and fastest ship in space, and after exploring it, they take it on its maiden voyage under Captain Strong's supervision, successfully landing back at the Academy 
- [The Mercuryball Semifinal](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/chapters/x.md): The Polaris unit (Tom, Astro, and Roger) competes in the semifinal round of the mercuryball tournament against the Arcturus unit. Despite internal tension—Roger's selfish play and refusal to pass—the team manages to win 
- [Atom City](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/chapters/xi.md): The Polaris crew enjoys their first leave in Atom City, meeting a wistful Mr. Bernard who shares his unfulfilled dream of becoming a spaceman. Roger's strange behavior at dinner puzzles Tom. After arriving in the dazzlin
- [XII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/chapters/xii.md): Tom Corbett takes command of the defending fleet in a space battle simulation, deploying squadrons strategically to protect Luna City from invaders. With Captain Strong observing, Tom devises a plan to trap the enemy usi
- [XIII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/chapters/xiii.md): The Polaris crew responds to an SOS from the passenger ship Lady Venus, which has suffered a power-deck failure with radiation leaking around a baffle. Captain Strong leads Tom, Roger, and Astro in preparing emergency eq
- [XIV](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/chapters/xiv.md): Aboard the stricken passenger ship Lady Venus, Captain Strong, Tom, Roger, and Astro coordinate the evacuation of passengers and crew as the ship's reaction chamber threatens to explode. Tom organizes the evacuation alph
- [XV](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/chapters/xv.md): Tom Corbett, with Astro and Roger Manning, works to save the passenger ship Lady Venus from a dangerously overheating rocket tube. Tom devises a plan to climb inside the tube and cut away the cleats holding the assembly,
- [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/chapters/xvi.md): The Lady Venus, crippled by radiation and low on fuel, hurtles toward Mars. Tom, Roger, and Astro face a critical decision as they run out of reactant fuel, choosing to ride the ship down rather than abandon it. They cra
- [XVII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/chapters/xvii.md): After crash-landing on Mars, Tom, Astro, and Roger assess the damage to the Lady Venus. Tom rescues Roger from under a heavy casing with Astro's help. They take stock of their supplies and the wrecked ship, realizing the
- [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/chapters/xviii.md): Trapped in the power deck of their ship during a violent sandstorm on Mars, cadets Tom, Roger, and Astro struggle to survive with limited oxygen. After failed attempts to open the jammed hatch, tensions erupt as Roger re
- [XIX](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/chapters/xix.md): Trapped in the sand-filled power deck of the Lady Venus, Tom, Roger, and Astro work together to escape. After filing through the hatch hinges, they discover the sand is deep but find an alternate route through a hatch ne
- [Descent into the New Sahara](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/chapters/xx.md): The Polaris unit—Tom, Roger, and Astro—endures the brutal heat of the Martian desert after crash-landing. They ration water, shelter under space cloth, and survive their first twenty-four hours. Facing the choice of wait
- [XXI](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/chapters/xxi.md): After eight days of grueling desert survival, Tom, Roger, and Astro face their final crisis when Roger collapses from dehydration. Astro carries Roger while Tom guides them blindly after losing his sight to sand. They re
- [XXII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/chapters/xxii.md): After surviving a crash landing on Mars, Tom, Roger, and Astro build a raft from an abandoned shack and float down a canal to an atmosphere booster station, where Captain Strong rescues them. They reflect on their ordeal

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