Kowalski uses his manoeuvring unit to reach the nearby International Space Station. As oxygen and fuel dwindle, they face another wave of debris. In a selfless act, Kowalski detaches himself to save Stone from being pulled away. Alone, Stone reaches the ISS but faces a fire and must transfer to a damaged Soyuz capsule.

After a failed attempt to return to Earth, she loses hope and prepares to die, only to be stirred by a vision of Kowalski urging her to fight on. Using landing thrusters creatively, she propels herself toward the Tiangong station and enters the Shenzhou capsule as it begins reentry. Crashing into a lake, she escapes the sinking craft and, after a gruelling ascent, emerges ashore—reborn, resilient, and finally grounded.