The Expanse

The Expanse, a series of novels begun in 2011 and a acclaimed television adaptation, presents one of the most detailed and plausible visions of a human-settled solar system in modern science fiction. In its future, humanity has spread across space, and Mars has become an independent, militarized world with a culture and identity entirely its own.

The franchise's Mars is one of its most compelling creations. Rather than a barren waystation, it is a disciplined, technologically advanced society engaged in a long-term terraforming project, locked in political and military rivalry with Earth. This portrayal takes seriously the idea that a Mars colony would, over generations, develop its own distinct identity and interests — potentially setting it at odds with the planet that founded it.

The series is noted for its attention to physics and the realities of life in space, from the effects of gravity and acceleration to the logistics of resources and habitat. Its depiction of interplanetary politics and governance has been widely praised for its realism. For a closer look at how well it captures the real Mars, see our analysis of what The Expanse gets right.