# Dr. Joan Dale — Stand by for Mars! character guide

> Dr. Joan Dale in Stand by for Mars! by Carey Rockwell.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Dr. Dale, Joan, Joan Dale

**First appearance:** 0000-i

## Snapshot

The sharp-eyed scientist who administers the Academy's placement exams, Dr. Dale can end a cadet's dream with a single colored slip of paper.

## Who they are

Dr. Dale runs the testing room with a voice that cuts off Manning's needling and a calm that makes the green, blue, and purple slips feel like verdicts. She is also the colleague Captain Strong confides in when the psychographs of Corbett, Manning, and Astro look too neat to be true. Her quiet authority frames the question the book keeps asking: whether the right stuff can be measured at all.

## Relationships

### [Steve Strong](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/characters/steve_strong)

_romantic_

Dr. Joan Dale is a medical officer and Steve's love interest, with a warm and supportive relationship.

### [Steve Strong](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/characters/steve_strong)

_romantic_

Dr. Joan Dale is a medical officer and Steve's love interest, with a warm and supportive relationship.

### [Steve Strong](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/characters/steve_strong)

_romantic_

Dr. Joan Dale is a medical officer and Steve's love interest, with a warm and supportive relationship.

## In the story

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/chapters/ii)

Administers the classification tests, explains the four classifications and the washout process, and shows a moment of empathy for the cadets under pressure.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/chapters/iii)

Dr. Dale discusses the psychographs and personalities of the cadets with Strong, offering insights into their potential.

### [The Mercuryball Semifinal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/chapters/x)

Present at the tournament, watching the game and interacting with the officers during intermission.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/characters/dr_joan_dale
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/characters