Having slogged through 8 episodes for predictable, overwrought and at the times presumptuous social entanglements (underlaid with "moody" music and long silent thousand yards stares which mean nothing) of the "second" five astronauts to go to Mars we actually get to go to space again..... ... phew. FINALLY
Not that any of the technology shown seems believable ( And nevermind that it is mostly a McGuffin to provide "obstacles" ==> tension) under spacefaring considerations..... unlike "the Martian's" or "Apollo 13s" relevancy and considered look at what is plausible, possible and feasible. Technology and science in this are fluff (with a focus to look "pleasing"), social drama is the sole theme of the series.... not even the "mysterious" sequences of a man repairing telephones have any repercussions or relevance., and seem like leftovers from an alternate plotline.
Overall.: A trite social Drama, disguised as Sci Fi , with an entirely predictable plot, nice production values, and wasting 4 more hours than strictly needed. Simply grabs onto the current elation of "going back to space" Would rather watch "The Martian" (or even "Red Planet"/"Mission to Mars") twice than this. Or go for a walk with the dog in freezing rain
Definitely not going to have a look at the second season. It was nice to see Natasha McElhone, Sean Penn and Oded Fehr on screen, but otherwise it feels like a wasted 6 hours of my "spare time".