The Expanse Test

The IDRLabs The Expanse Test is inspired by psychometric methodology and based on research into the characters of the book series. The test provides feedback such as the following:

James Holden

James Holden is the de facto captain of the Rocinante, a man driven by a compulsive need to do the right thing regardless of the political cost. Raised to value moral responsibility, he often finds himself thrust into leadership roles he initially tries to avoid. He is defined by his radical transparency, frequently broadcasting dangerous truths to the system rather than engaging in quiet realpolitik. While his idealism saves countless lives, it also makes him a lightning rod for conflict and institutional ire. He remains a reluctant hero, tormented by the unintended consequences of his choices yet unable to look away from injustice.

Alex Kamal

Alex Kamal is a Martian-born pilot who finds his true home among the crew of the Rocinante rather than in the rigid military structures of his home planet. He possesses a warm, easygoing demeanor and a distinct Texas drawl that often serves as the emotional glue for his shipmates. While he is a brilliant tactical pilot who handles high-stress combat with icy calm, he remains deeply conflict-averse in his personal life. He often uses humor, cooking, and hospitality to mask his regrets and smooth over interpersonal tensions. Alex is a family man who abandoned his past, constantly seeking redemption through loyalty to his chosen family.

Bobbie Draper

Bobbie Draper is a Martian Marine Force Recon gunnery sergeant who embodies the intersection of rigid military discipline and evolving personal conscience. Raised in a culture defined by the terraforming dream, she initially views the world through the lens of nationalist duty and combat readiness. Her core contradiction emerges when she discovers that the institutions she serves are corrupt, forcing her to abandon her blind loyalty to Mars. She is fiercely independent, blunt, and tactically aggressive, yet she possesses a growing capacity for empathy. Ultimately, she shifts her allegiance from flags to people, finding purpose in protecting the vulnerable while navigating a fragile interplanetary peace.

Marco Inaros

Marco Inaros is a charismatic Belter radical who rose from an orphaned childhood to become the architect of the Free Navy. He is defined by his magnetic presence and his ability to manipulate the fears and desires of those around him to serve his grand vision of independence. While he cloaks his actions in the rhetoric of liberation, his core contradiction lies in his profound narcissism; he demands absolute loyalty and sacrifice from his followers while remaining fundamentally incapable of genuine self-sacrifice. He weaponizes his charm to justify violence, viewing others as tools for his legacy rather than people to be protected.

Amos Burton

Amos Burton is the Rocinante’s mechanic, an Earther from Baltimore whose traumatic childhood involved extreme exploitation and violence. As an adult, he is eerily comfortable with conflict, operating with a survival-focused ethic that can seem ruthless. His morality is deeply warped by his upbringing; he views himself as lacking an internal compass and instead latches onto others as external moral guides. He follows their judgments about right and wrong even when he does not fully understand them. Amos is the crew’s blunt instrument, defaulting to direct force, but he remains intensely protective of the vulnerable, revealing a buried capacity for tenderness.

Camina Drummer

Camina Drummer is a resilient Belter leader who navigates the brutal politics of the solar system with unwavering integrity. Rising from the docks of Ceres to the presidency of the Transport Union, she embodies the fierce, communal spirit of the Belt. She is a pragmatic strategist who values the survival of her found family above personal glory, often shouldering immense burdens to protect her people. While she possesses a capacity for righteous rage against those who exploit the marginalized, she remains deeply committed to pluralism and autonomy. Her central contradiction lies in her transition from a loyal lieutenant to a reluctant, powerful authority figure.

Chrisjen Avasarala

Chrisjen Avasarala is a master political operator from a long-standing Earth dynasty who rises to become Secretary-General through sheer force of will and tactical brilliance. She is a woman of sharp contradictions, capable of both maternal warmth toward her grandchildren and icy, ruthless cruelty toward those who threaten Earth’s stability. While she initially views Belters and Martians as mere pawns in her geopolitical games, her journey leads her to value human life over institutional power. She prefers back-channel deals and psychological leverage to open war, yet she is never afraid to get her hands dirty to ensure humanity’s survival in a cold, unforgiving universe.

Naomi Nagata

Naomi Nagata is a brilliant Belter engineer who keeps the Rocinante flying through sheer technical ingenuity and improvisation. She acts as the emotional ballast for her crew, serving as a compassionate moral compass in a cold, unforgiving universe. Her past is defined by a haunting mistake involving radical politics and a lost son, which leaves her deeply guarded and wary of centralized authority. While she abhors violence, she possesses a steely resolve and will take extreme, self-sacrificial risks to protect the people she loves. She struggles to balance her desire for personal independence with a profound, burning loyalty to the Belt.