# Roger Manning — Stand by for Mars! character guide > Roger Manning in Stand by for Mars! by Carey Rockwell. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Manning, Cadet Manning, Candidate Manning **First appearance:** 0000-i ## Snapshot A brilliant, sardonic cadet who plays every game for himself, Roger Manning treats teamwork as an insult and the Academy as a stage for his own cleverness. ## Who they are Roger can quote Builker and outthink half the classroom, and he knows it — he tells Tom the rules say 'no cabbageheads' with a grin. His refusal to pass the ball, his transfer request, and his sneer at the Academy hymn all point to the same wound: he wants space on his own terms or not at all. The unit's survival depends on whether that brilliance can be turned outward. ## Relationships ### [Tom Corbett](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/characters/tom_corbett) _friendship_ Close friends and fellow space cadets, often working together on missions despite their contrasting personalities. ### [Astro](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/characters/astro) _friendship_ Fellow cadets and friends, though their relationship includes occasional friction due to Roger's sharp wit and Astro's seriousness. ### [Steve Strong](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/characters/steve_strong) _friendship_ Friends and cadet colleagues, sharing a bond of mutual respect despite Roger's occasional teasing. ### [Lady Venus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/characters/lady_venus) _social_ Lady Venus interacts with Roger as part of her schemes, often using charm to influence him. ### [Tony Richards](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/characters/tony_richards) _friendship_ Fellow cadets and friends, sharing a lighthearted and competitive camaraderie. ### [Al James](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/characters/al_james) _friendship_ Friends and fellow cadets, often engaging in banter and friendly competition. ### [Tom Corbett](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/characters/tom_corbett) _friendship_ Close friends and fellow space cadets, often working together on missions despite their contrasting personalities. ### [Astro](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/characters/astro) _friendship_ Fellow cadets and friends, though their relationship includes occasional friction due to Roger's sharp wit and Astro's seriousness. ### [Astro](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/characters/astro) _friendship_ Fellow cadets and friends, though their relationship includes occasional friction due to Roger's sharp wit and Astro's seriousness. ### [Tom Corbett](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/characters/tom_corbett) _friendship_ Close friends and fellow space cadets, often working together on missions despite their contrasting personalities. ### [Steve Strong](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/characters/steve_strong) _friendship_ Friends and cadet colleagues, sharing a bond of mutual respect despite Roger's occasional teasing. ### [Steve Strong](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/characters/steve_strong) _friendship_ Friends and cadet colleagues, sharing a bond of mutual respect despite Roger's occasional teasing. ## In the story ### [Arrival at Space Academy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/chapters/i) Roger Manning tricks Astro into carrying his luggage, and later faces Cadet Herbert about the luggage issue. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/chapters/ii) Finishes the test quickly and casually, displays a cynical and aloof attitude toward Tom and Astro, stating he is at the Academy for his own reasons and considers it a 'space kindergarten.' ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/chapters/iii) Manning is identified as the primary source of friction, though he has a sharp mind and deliberately chose radar deck assignment. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/chapters/iv) Shows arrogance and intellectual pride, challenges Tom to a fight, and remains skeptical of Strong's message. ### [The Boxing Match](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/chapters/v) Fights Tom with dirty tactics, loses, and rejects Tom's handshake. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/chapters/vi) Roger completes his radar bridge examination with exceptional speed and accuracy, though his sarcastic attitude toward Astro and Tom persists. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/chapters/vii) Reveals he provoked Astro to ensure he passed the manual; announces intent to transfer. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/chapters/viii) Roger is absent from quarters, later found alone in Galaxy Hall crying before the Space Queen wreckage, revealing hidden vulnerability. ### [The Polaris](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/chapters/ix) Explores the radar bridge and expresses mixed feelings about the ship's equipment. ### [The Mercuryball Semifinal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/chapters/x) Shows selfishness and arrogance during the game, refusing to pass and drawing boos from the crowd; his attitude is noted by Wolcheck and Strong. ### [Atom City](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/chapters/xi) Acts rudely toward Mr. Bernard, cutting him off; flirts with the hotel clerk; gets into a verbal fight with Captain James; excited about the upcoming deep-space hop. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/chapters/xii) On radar deck, provides course calculations and expresses concern about collisions; briefly mentions his father. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/chapters/xiii) Calculates the position of the Lady Venus and reads the distress signal via space code. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/chapters/xiv) Keeps passengers calm with jokes, songs, and a comical nose-pushing act. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/chapters/xv) Initially reluctant and sarcastic, but ultimately returns to help Tom, demonstrating hidden bravery. ### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/chapters/xvi) Agrees to ride the ship down, engages in a philosophical argument with Tom about belief and selfishness, and plots the course to Mars. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/chapters/xvii) Pinned under debris but uninjured; offers to calculate position using manual navigation methods. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/chapters/xviii) Reveals his father was a Solar Guard captain who died heroically; expresses deep resentment toward the Academy and his father's sacrifice. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/chapters/xix) Admits fault for leaving the hatch open, contributes ideas and physical labor, shows teamwork. ### [Descent into the New Sahara](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/chapters/xx) Faints from heat but recovers; uses his navigational skills to calculate their position. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/chapters/xxi) Collapses from dehydration and is carried by Astro; later expresses gratitude and solidarity. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/chapters/xxii) Shows loyalty by diving in to save Tom, and expresses pride in Captain Strong's dedication. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/characters/roger_manning - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/characters