The chopper flew north, from Kapp’s home in the southern foothills of the Las Vegas valley, over the vast urban sprawl surrounding the Strip, to the emptiness of the desert beyond. He couldn’t stop dozing off during the ride, but at least he had a long nap to look forward to: 240 days of stasis on Starling II.

Kapp looked back at the disappearing city skyline. Three months living in Vegas had been fun—almost too much fun. After receiving the direct deposit for the mission, he liv...