Explore the real-world places that appear in Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. Each location on the map shows what happens there in the novel, the real history of the place, and what's there today. Featured locations include NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, European Space Agency Headquarters, Baikonur Cosmodrome, CERN, Stanford University and 7 more.
Greenbelt, Maryland — Mission planning and coordination
Grace recalls working with NASA scientists here during the frantic preparation for Project Hail Mary. The facility serves as one of the primary coordination centers where international space agencies collaborate on humanity's last-ditch effort to save Earth from the Astrophage threat. Grace's scientific expertise in microbiogy makes him invaluable to the mission planning discussions held in the secure conference rooms.
Established in 1959, NASA Goddard is one of NASA's oldest field centers and has been at the forefront of space science research. It has managed numerous groundbreaking missions including the Hubble Space Telescope and continues to be a leader in Earth and space sciences.
Goddard remains NASA's premier space science laboratory, conducting cutting-edge research in astrophysics, Earth science, and planetary science. The facility offers public tours and houses the visitor center showcasing NASA's scientific achievements.
Visit: NASA Goddard Visitor Center (museum)
Paris, France — International mission coordination
ESA headquarters becomes a crucial hub in the international effort to launch Project Hail Mary. Grace remembers the tense negotiations and scientific discussions that took place here as world leaders and scientists from every major space agency worked together to pool resources and expertise for humanity's survival mission. The urgency of the Astrophage crisis forces unprecedented cooperation.
The European Space Agency was established in 1975 and has its headquarters in Paris. ESA has been instrumental in numerous space exploration missions and scientific satellites, representing the collective space ambitions of European nations.
ESA continues to be a major player in global space exploration, working on missions to Mars, Jupiter's moons, and various Earth observation satellites. The headquarters coordinates activities across multiple European space centers.
Kazakhstan — Launch facility
The Hail Mary spacecraft launches from this remote but historic launch site in Kazakhstan. Grace recalls the final preparations and the emotional farewells before he and his crewmates enter their induced comas for the long journey to Tau Ceti. The international nature of the mission makes Baikonur an ideal neutral launch location, away from political tensions that might complicate the desperate mission.
Built by the Soviet Union in the 1950s, Baikonur is the world's oldest and largest operational space launch facility. It was the launch site for Sputnik, the first artificial satellite, and Yuri Gagarin's historic first human spaceflight in 1961.
Baikonur continues to serve as a primary launch site for Russian space missions and International Space Station crew rotations. Tours are available through specialized space tourism companies, though access is heavily regulated.
Visit: Baikonur Cosmodrome Tours (tour)
Geneva, Switzerland — Particle physics research
Grace recalls collaborating with CERN physicists who provided crucial theoretical framework for understanding Astrophage particles and their energy-consuming properties. The particle accelerator data helps the Project Hail Mary team understand the quantum mechanics behind the alien microorganisms that are draining the Sun's energy and threatening all life on Earth.
The European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) was established in 1954 and operates the world's largest particle physics laboratory. CERN is famous for the Large Hadron Collider and as the birthplace of the World Wide Web.
CERN remains at the forefront of particle physics research, with the Large Hadron Collider continuing to make groundbreaking discoveries about the fundamental nature of matter and the universe. Public tours and exhibitions are available.
Visit: CERN Guided Tours (tour)
Stanford, California — Grace's academic background
This is where Grace developed his expertise in microbiology and astrobiology before being recruited for Project Hail Mary. His research into extremophiles and their survival mechanisms in harsh environments makes him uniquely qualified to study Astrophage. Grace's memories of his laboratory work and teaching at Stanford surface as he struggles to remember his identity aboard the Hail Mary spacecraft.
Founded in 1885, Stanford University has been a leading research institution, particularly in science and technology. The university has produced numerous Nobel laureates and has been at the forefront of biological and space sciences research.
Stanford continues to be one of the world's premier research universities, with cutting-edge facilities in biology, physics, and engineering. The campus offers public tours and houses several museums and cultural venues.
Visit: Stanford University Campus Tours (tour)
Chile — Astronomical observation site
Grace recalls the frantic astronomical observations conducted here when scientists first detected the dimming of Tau Ceti and other nearby stars due to Astrophage infestation. The clear, dry skies of Atacama provide ideal conditions for the telescopes that confirmed humanity's worst fears about the spreading alien microorganisms that consume stellar energy.
The Atacama Desert is one of the world's driest non-polar deserts and has become a premier location for astronomical research due to its clear skies and minimal light pollution. Major observatories have been established here since the 1960s.
Atacama hosts several world-class astronomical facilities including ALMA and numerous other telescopes. Some observatories offer public tours, making it a destination for astronomy enthusiasts from around the world.
Visit: ALMA Observatory Tours (tour)
Pasadena, California — Deep space mission control
JPL serves as one of the primary mission control centers for Project Hail Mary, monitoring the spacecraft's journey to Tau Ceti. Grace remembers the complex calculations and trajectory planning that took place here, as well as the moment when communication with Earth was lost due to the vast distance. The facility's expertise in interplanetary missions makes it essential to the operation.
Founded in 1936, JPL has been NASA's leading center for robotic space exploration. It has managed numerous successful missions to Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and beyond, pioneering deep space communication and navigation techniques.
JPL continues to operate numerous active space missions and develop future exploration technologies. The facility offers public tours and educational programs, showcasing humanity's ongoing efforts to explore the solar system.
Visit: JPL Public Tours (tour)
Puerto Rico — Radio astronomy research
Before its collapse, Arecibo played a crucial role in detecting and analyzing the radio signatures that helped scientists understand the Astrophage threat. Grace recalls the facility's contributions to mapping which stars were being affected by the energy-draining microorganisms. The observatory's powerful radio telescope provided essential data for calculating the timeline of Earth's potential extinction.
The Arecibo Observatory operated from 1963 to 2020 and was one of the world's largest and most sensitive radio telescopes. It made significant contributions to astronomy, atmospheric science, and the search for extraterrestrial intelligence.
The main telescope collapsed in December 2020, but the site remains significant to the scientific community. Plans for rebuilding or creating a new facility are under discussion, and the visitor center continues to educate about radio astronomy.
Houston, Texas — Astronaut training facility
Grace undergoes intensive astronaut training here, preparing for the long journey aboard the Hail Mary spacecraft. He learns about the experimental beetle-based life support system and practices with the ship's unique controls. The urgency of the mission compresses what would normally be years of training into months as Grace prepares for humanity's most important space mission.
Established in 1961, Johnson Space Center has been NASA's primary training facility for human spaceflight. It served as Mission Control for the Apollo moon landings and continues to train astronauts for International Space Station missions.
JSC remains NASA's hub for human spaceflight operations and astronaut training. The Space Center Houston visitor center offers tours, exhibits, and educational programs about space exploration and astronaut life.
Visit: Space Center Houston (museum)
Longueuil, Quebec — International collaboration
The Canadian Space Agency contributes crucial expertise and resources to Project Hail Mary, particularly in robotics and life support systems. Grace remembers working with Canadian engineers who helped design some of the spacecraft's automated systems that would keep the crew alive during their long journey in induced comas to Tau Ceti.
Established in 1989, the Canadian Space Agency has been a key partner in international space missions, contributing notably to the International Space Station's robotic arm systems and various Earth observation satellites.
CSA continues to be an important player in international space cooperation, contributing to lunar missions and maintaining various satellite programs. The agency offers educational programs and occasionally hosts public events.
Washington, D.C. — Space exploration history
Grace recalls visiting this museum during his preparation for Project Hail Mary, studying the history of human spaceflight and drawing inspiration from past achievements. The exhibits on interplanetary missions help him understand the magnitude of the challenge ahead as humanity prepares its most ambitious space mission ever to save Earth from the Astrophage threat.
Opened in 1976, the National Air and Space Museum is the world's most visited museum, chronicling the history of aviation and spaceflight. It houses numerous historic aircraft and spacecraft, including Apollo command modules and space shuttles.
The museum continues to be a premier destination for learning about aerospace history and current space exploration efforts. It regularly updates exhibits to include contemporary missions and future space exploration plans.
Visit: National Air and Space Museum (museum)
Cambridge, Massachusetts — Scientific research collaboration
MIT scientists provide crucial theoretical support for Project Hail Mary, particularly in understanding the physics behind Astrophage reproduction and energy consumption. Grace collaborates with researchers here who help develop the mathematical models needed to predict how long humanity has before the Sun's energy is completely drained by the alien microorganisms.
Founded in 1861, MIT has been a leading institution in science, technology, and engineering research. The institute has played crucial roles in numerous technological breakthroughs and space-related research programs throughout its history.
MIT continues to be at the forefront of scientific and technological innovation, with cutting-edge research in fields ranging from artificial intelligence to space exploration. The campus offers tours and hosts various public lectures and events.
Visit: MIT Campus Tours (tour)
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