Approaching the Unknown Trailer (2016)

Trailer for Approaching the Unknown.

Captain William Stanaforth is on a one-way solo mission to take the first steps in colonizing Mars. Like all pioneers throughout history, Stanaforth will face insurmountable odds and life and death decisions as he rockets bravely through space.

Approaching the Unknown will mark the Directorial debut for Mark Elijah Rosenberg.

Mars is the fourth planet from the sun, and the second closest to Earth (Venus is the closest). But the distance between the two planets is constantly changing as they travel around the sun.

According to NASA, a vessel with humans on it would take roughly six months to travel to Mars and another six months to travel back from Mars. In addition, astronauts would have to stay 18-20 months on Mars before the planets re-align for a return trip. In all, the mission would take roughly 2 1/2 years.

Although while watching this trailer I could not help but think about last years The Martian. Both films plot tackle our fascination with eventually putting a colony on our neighboring planet Mars. Although they both have that similarity, they are both different on their approach. The Martian focuses on one man being stuck on Mars and trying to survive and Approaching the Unknown focuses on the epic journey to reach the distant planet.

I cannot imagine being stuck in a capsule by myself for that long and coming out sane. It reminds me of the ultimate punishment in The Shawshank Redemption when Andy Dufresne is thrown into solitary confinement. You are in a confined space with nothing but your thoughts. After a while you will start to go crazy. It puts even the strongest minds to the ultimate test!