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At least one Christian astronaut, Butch Wilmore, recently splashed down in the Dragon capsule of Crew 9 (thereby resolving our spaceships versus dragons debate!). How many Christians, however, have created newer stories above the circle of Earth on the planet Mars? We’ll journey back to recap a few Christian-made Martian stories you may have missed over the last years.

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1. Enclave Publishing: Illuminary by Chawna Schroeder
2. Realm Makers Expo 2025
3. Johanna Frank, author of Here Lyeth
4. Inheritance by J. A. Webb

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1. The Mars Diaries series led to Robot Wars

• Stephen remembers this original 10-book series by Sigmund Brouwer
• Tyce Sanders, first boy born on Mars, learns the reason for his disability
• He’s able to “possess” a special robot to go outside and do great things
• Later the series takes off from Mars toward Earth, with more space travel
• Also, there’s a girrrl, and a lot of alien-less mysteries and morals to find
• Later the series was repackaged as five books in the Robot Wars series
• Maybe young lads didn’t like the “diaries” name? I thought these terrific.

2. Oxygen flew a breathless mission in space

• A year later, John B. Olson and Randall Ingermanson launched Oxygen
• Now the novel counts as a retro-history of a 2012 manned Mars mission
• We spoke with coauthor Randall Ingermanson way back for episode 15
• Plot: Valkerie Jansen is recruited late to NASA’s Ares program for Mars
• It’s a fun mix of softened hard sci-fi, mystery, and relationship drama
• Plus side debates about whether life on Mars would ruin Christianity
• Stephen read it and its sequel after he began the story that became ACE!

3. Newer novels dig for classic sci-fi mystery

• A few Christian-made novels use Mars as a prop, yet don’t stay overlong
• Dream Thief (1983) deals with space travel, yet not Mars specifically
• Gilbert Morris’s middle-grade Daystar Voyages series stopped by Mars
• A few other Christian-made novels have focused on the Red Planet:

The Mars Hills Classified series (2006–2007), Austin Boyd

As Navy Commander John Wells and his crew watch hopelessly from their space station perch, terrorists cripple the nation’s capital and security systems. While the world looks to the Middle East for blame, sudden images off the plains of Mars offer a staggering alternative.

With a sophisticated alien culture seemingly confirmed on the Red Planet, a disorganized U.S. government struggles to formulate their next steps. Caught in a web of politics, torn by his family commitments, and called to serve not only his country but his God, John Wells must take a giant step for mankind.

• The Evidence (2006)
• The Proof (2006)
• The Return (2007)

Missionary to Mars (2023) by Lucas Kitchen

Eustis Grimes, an idealistic cyber-nerd, has to go on the run when his best friends are murdered by the evil Admiral Strafe. Eustis is thrust into a solar system where just the mention of outlawed ideas can get you killed in a dozen creative ways. Since he has no ship, no money, and no connections, he is forced to sneak aboard a rattle-beaten freighter of smugglers as they set out into the wild black yonder. He embarks armed with stubbornness and an unstoppable drive to share an important message with the solar system before Admiral Strafe finds him.

The Time Door (2024) by Shannon McDermott

A reckless last mission on Mars, a crusade for justice on Earth . . .

Reuben Jackson is the only one who still cares about Mars. In the shambles of the Great Collapse, Earth has abandoned the Mars explorers to their fate. But Reuben will make a stand for the Mars team—even against the powerfully united politicians and scientists. In too deep, he discovers hidden conspiracies and unexpected allies.

As the conflict mounts on Earth, time runs down on Mars. Left to face Mars alone, Commander Donegan Moynihan and his team have no hope of surviving after their supplies are gone. Willing to accept a quicker death than starvation, the explorers strike out on a dangerous mission. They venture deep inside the ancient volcano of Arsia Mons, into perils and secrets long buried. What they discover would move mountains on Earth—but will it be enough to save themselves?

• sequel Singularity releases later this year

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Top question for listeners

• What real fantastical worlds do you love to explore in sci-fi?

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