Alex lacks the emotional support of a family in the beginning of the story. Until Ronnie decides to devote his time and capabilities to Alex and their mother at the climax, Alex instinctually tries to fill this void of love through others. The result is a motif of experiences and interactions that replace familial love and support. This motif contributes to the theme of “The Love and Support of Family.”

Carl Sagan supplies Alex with love and companionship, though his communication is limited. The Rocketforum online community is a group Alex joins for companionship and out of common interests; being part of that “family” inspires him to attend SHARF: “Isn’t it interesting how every tent and RV has people in it, people like us with rockets they want to launch, and tomorrow were going to meet them and see the rockets and shoe them ours?” (53). Once at SHARF, he seeks closer relationships: “Let’s go make some friends!” (58).

Once he meets Terra, Alex eagerly treats her as a close family member: he says he will trust her and stick by her, he pays for their park admittance “because she’s family” (153), and he tends to her needs, such as when he takes her shoes off so she sleeps more comfortably.