The following edition of the text was used in the creation of this study guide: Jenkins Reid, Taylor. Atmosphere. Penguin Random House, 2025. Kindle AZW file.

On December 29, 1984, astronaut Joan Goodwin is stationed at Mission Control in Houston as CAPCOM for the space shuttle Navigator. The mission takes a dangerous turn when a satellite explodes during launch, and debris damages the shuttle. A spacewalk to fix the jammed door goes awry. The suit of an astronaut named Griff is punctured, and the shuttle begins to lose pressure. Joan scrambles with the ground team to understand the unfolding crisis. Astronauts Lydia, Hank, and Steve fall unconscious. Contact is lost, but pressure stabilizes, and they suspect Lydia may have found and sealed the leak. Vanessa, the only conscious crew member, informs Joan she may be the only one left alive.

The narrative then rewinds seven years. Inspired by a NASA recruitment ad her sister Barbara spots, Joan leaves her job at Rice University and applies to the astronaut program. She’s accepted on her second try and moves to Houston, though Barbara is uneasy about the impact on her daughter Frances, whom Joan has helped raise.

During training, Joan bonds with fellow astronaut candidates (ASCANs) Griff and Donna, and forms a close connection with Vanessa Ford, an ambitious pilot. Vanessa is frustrated to learn only military pilots can fly the T-38 jets despite her skills. During water survival training, Vanessa supports Joan, who overcomes her fear. Barbara and Frances visit; Barbara senses Joan is happier and asks if she is dating someone.

Back in 1984, Vanessa, still aboard Navigator, begins assessing the crew: Griff is dying from internal injuries, Hank and Steve are dead, Lydia is unconscious with the bends but alive. Vanessa, though emotionally shaken, begins preparations for reentry to save Lydia and Griff. A bulkhead won’t seal completely, threatening the reentry plan. Joan, as CAPCOM, guides her through options and offers emotional support.

The past continues, showing Vanessa and Joan grow closer—sharing stargazing sessions, confiding in one another, and laughing with their ASCAN cohort. Griff kisses Joan during a trip to New Orleans, but she turns him down. That night, Joan sketches a dancer she’s fixated on—Raven, who resembles Vanessa. Vanessa later finds a sketch but says nothing. Tensions rise between Joan and Barbara when Joan discovers Frances was left unattended. Joan apologizes, though she feels Barbara is increasingly irresponsible.

During a group camping trip, Griff hints Joan may have feelings for someone—implying Vanessa—and reminds her that NASA is unforgiving of homosexual relationships. Joan claims not to understand what he means. Later, Vanessa confesses that Joan made the stars “make sense” to her. Joan panics at her feelings for Vanessa.

In the present, Vanessa manages to partially close the damaged shuttle door but leaves a centimeter-wide gap. Joan doesn’t immediately tell her that Griff has died, hoping to keep her focused. When Vanessa realizes the time window to reenter is closing, Joan tells her the truth. Vanessa must now choose between saving herself or risking everything to save Lydia.

Back in the past, Joan and Vanessa begin a secret relationship. They spend nights together, take trips, and fall deeply in love. Joan wants Vanessa to meet Frances, but Vanessa hesitates. When Barbara leaves Frances with Joan for the weekend, Vanessa hides. Joan soon realizes Barbara often leaves Frances unattended, prioritizing her own relationship with a man named Daniel. Joan eventually takes full responsibility for Frances, picking her up from school, installing an answering machine, and slowly integrating Vanessa into her life. Their bond deepens further. Joan gives up flight hours so Vanessa can log more time. They travel to Montana to stargaze.

During a debate between Vanessa and Griff, Joan mentions a sentimental Sesame Street song, prompting laughter but also a serious warning from Lydia that if Sally Ride’s upcoming mission fails, it could jeopardize women’s future in space. When Ride’s mission succeeds, Joan feels hope: women finally have real chances to go to space.

Joan brings Vanessa to Barbara’s wedding, introducing her only as a friend. Joan envies Barbara’s ability to live openly and feels constrained by the secrecy around her love life. Vanessa tells Joan she would marry her if she could. Soon after, Joan is selected for her first mission. Vanessa, too, is finally going to space.

But as Barbara prepares to send Frances to boarding school so she and Daniel can travel to Europe, Joan is forced to confront the limits of Barbara’s parenting. Frances insists she’s fine, but Joan is deeply upset. After returning from a disappointing, physically grueling first mission in space, Joan finds voicemails from Frances, who spent Thanksgiving alone. Joan confronts Barbara, who implies she expected Joan to step in. Joan insists Barbara give her legal permission to take custody of Frances. She brings Frances home, where the astronauts’ community welcomes her.

That Monday, Joan’s supervisor subtly warns her that astronauts vulnerable to blackmail—including due to “sexual deviation”—risk losing clearance. Fearing for both their careers, Joan breaks up with Vanessa. Vanessa later calls from a payphone and says she would rather leave NASA than lose Joan. They reconcile, promising to figure things out after Vanessa’s mission, for which Joan will be CAPCOM.

The past narrative catches up with the present day narrative on Navigator. Vanessa is forced to choose between her own safety and Lydia’s life. She decides to disobey orders and attempts a dangerous reentry to save Lydia, assuming full responsibility. Mission Control loses contact during descent. Joan believes Vanessa has died, crushed by the thought but also overcome with gratitude for their time together. Then, miraculously, contact is restored. Vanessa has survived.