# Steve Strong — Stand by for Mars! character guide > Steve Strong in Stand by for Mars! by Carey Rockwell. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Strong, Captain Strong, Captain Steve Strong **First appearance:** 0000-i ## Snapshot The black-and-gold Solar Guard officer who commands the cadets, Captain Strong can spot a rehearsed answer before the cadet finishes giving it. ## Who they are Strong is the Academy's conscience in uniform, the man who tells the Polaris unit they are 'real spacemen' and then quietly notices Roger's face darken. He fences with Manning over the meaning of a spaceman's life, and he worries aloud to Dr. Dale that three psychographs fit together like gears yet still might not mesh. His faith in the unit is the wager the early story is built on. ## Relationships ### [Tom Corbett](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/characters/tom_corbett) _friendship_ Trusted friends and fellow Space Academy cadets, with Steve often serving as a steadying influence on Tom. ### [Roger Manning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/characters/roger_manning) _friendship_ Friends and cadet colleagues, sharing a bond of mutual respect despite Roger's occasional teasing. ### [Astro](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/characters/astro) _friendship_ Good friends and fellow cadets, with a strong sense of camaraderie and teamwork. ### [Commander Walters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/characters/commander_walters) _professional_ Commander Walters is Steve's superior officer at the Space Academy, providing guidance and authority. ### [Dr. Joan Dale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/characters/dr_joan_dale) _romantic_ Dr. Joan Dale is a medical officer and Steve's love interest, with a warm and supportive relationship. ### [Tom Corbett](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/characters/tom_corbett) _friendship_ Trusted friends and fellow Space Academy cadets, with Steve often serving as a steadying influence on Tom. ### [Roger Manning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/characters/roger_manning) _friendship_ Friends and cadet colleagues, sharing a bond of mutual respect despite Roger's occasional teasing. ### [Tom Corbett](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/characters/tom_corbett) _friendship_ Trusted friends and fellow Space Academy cadets, with Steve often serving as a steadying influence on Tom. ### [Astro](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/characters/astro) _friendship_ Good friends and fellow cadets, with a strong sense of camaraderie and teamwork. ### [Commander Walters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/characters/commander_walters) _professional_ Commander Walters is Steve's superior officer at the Space Academy, providing guidance and authority. ### [Roger Manning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/characters/roger_manning) _friendship_ Friends and cadet colleagues, sharing a bond of mutual respect despite Roger's occasional teasing. ### [Commander Walters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/characters/commander_walters) _professional_ Commander Walters is Steve's superior officer at the Space Academy, providing guidance and authority. ## In the story ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/chapters/ii) Observes the testing room silently, recalling his own similar experience fifteen years prior. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/chapters/iii) Captain Strong is troubled by the friction in Unit 42-D and is assigned as their personal instructor to mold them into a cohesive unit. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/chapters/iv) Assigned as unit commander, delivers a stern lecture on unity, shares the story of Sam Jones, and sets a challenge for the cadets. ### [The Boxing Match](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/chapters/v) Observes the fight from the balcony, concluding the unit is more divided. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/chapters/vi) Captain Strong oversees the manual examinations and discusses the unit's progress with Commander Walters, expressing cautious hope but facing pressure to produce results. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/chapters/vii) Congratulates the unit on passing with honors and informs them of their new ship, the Polaris. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/chapters/viii) Captain Strong is mentioned as the unit's commanding officer; Tom considers going to him but ultimately does not. ### [The Polaris](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/chapters/ix) Oversees the cadets' first flight, provides guidance, and explains the ship's armament. ### [The Mercuryball Semifinal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/chapters/x) Observes the game and discusses the Polaris unit's performance with Wolcheck, Dale, and Walters; defends Roger initially but is aware of his flaws. ### [Atom City](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/chapters/xi) Contacts the cadets via teleceiver to recall them to the Academy for special maneuvers. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/chapters/xii) Observes Tom's command, offers silent approval, and congratulates him on the maneuver. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/chapters/xiii) Commands the rescue operation, communicates with Space Academy, and leads the boarding party. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/chapters/xiv) Takes command of the evacuation, makes quick decisions, and refuses to leave without Astro. ### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/chapters/xvi) Orders the crew to proceed to Mars and takes the Polaris ahead with the passengers. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/chapters/xxii) Organizes the ground search, rescues the cadets, and expresses deep pride in their survival. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/characters/steve_strong - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stand_by_for_mars_se/characters