Trained as an elite pilot, Hachimaki Hoshino's life collecting space debris in orbit around Earth doesn't satisfy the engine of his ambition. So when the Earth Development Community begins to look for a crew to man Welnar Rocksmith's new Mars mission, which involves traveling to the red planet on the brand new space ship Brown Fawn in search of a specific breed of plant life. His father, Goro Hoshino, is a legendary astronaut and has already been selected as the mission commander. But getting selected will mean proving the wealth of his knowledge in space, demonstrating his capacity for team work, and embracing love and friendship as guiding principles for his life.

Hachimaki Hoshino
A young space debris disposal man with aspirations of more glamorous space work, perhaps even owning his own spaceship in which to traverse the stars. However, he does suffer from space sickness, physical debilities and psychological anguish triggered by isolation and life in weightlessness. Also goes by Hachi or Hachirota.

Fee
A tomboy beauty with a severe nicotine habit who serves as operation coordinator for Hachi and Yuri's space walks. She can't be happy staying where she is for her whole life, but she really doesn't have much direction.

Pops
A repair man at space dock who quips about Hachi's team always damaging its ship.

Harry Roland
A veteran astronaut whose die-hard love of space drives him to attempt suicide when it look like he has to give it up.

Nono
A twelve-year-old who is one of only four children that have lived their entire lives on the Moon. She is part of a long study regarding the effects of space on human development. A good kid, committed to staying in space until the study is through, she does long to swim in an ocean, look at a blue sky and breath fresh Earth air.

Makoto Yukimura
Makoto Yukimura began publishing Planetes in Japan in 1999 in Kodansha's Morning magazine. The first volume came out in tankoubon (graphic novel) form in 2000.

Yukimura-san has become known for the heartfelt 'ordinariness' of his approach to life in space and the depth of the characterization he achieves in his painstakingly beautiful illustrations.