• Mars Date/Time:  Year 001, Sur Two, Monday, Sol 47 (001.2.47)  08:44 NST
• Earth Date/Time:  Thursday, 21 April 2016  2:00 PM PDT 
• Distance traveled:  199,170,504 kilometers   Time Delay:  4 mins 18 secs
• Distance to Mars Rendezvous:  193,239,248 kilometers
• Song of the Day:  God Save The Queen (Royal Philharmonic Orchestra)

Paige made the announcement that came up on almost every monitor in ESEP, on the ship, Earthside, and in orbit,

“CODE ALERT! Message from the Director of ESEP to follow.”

Jenna began,

“All team members, today is a very special day. While we are making history with every kilometer that brings us closer to Mars, our achievements cannot compare with the history that has been made over the last ninety years by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth the Second. Today, Her Majesty is ninety years young, and we celebrate her service to Great Britain, The Commonwealth, and the world.

In honor of Queen Elizabeth II, we take the following action.”

All the monitors switched to an exterior view of the Sagan. It was obviously being taken from a construction pod hovering some distance from the ship. The Core Command section separated from the ship, and fell back alongside the main core. Then another Core Command section moved up into its place. Within three minutes it was done, the Sagan Core Command section had been replaced, officially changing the name of the ship to the new Core Command, the ESS Queen Elizabeth II.

Jenna spoke again,

“Effective immediately, the first ship to Mars is now the flagship of the ESEP fleet, the ESS Queen Elizabeth II. Happy Birthday, your Majesty, and God Save The Queen.”

The music began to play and around the world, and in space people were singing God Save The Queen.