Astrophysicist Andy Howell takes a look at the science of Ad Astra. For more see the article on Gizmodo:
https://gizmodo.com/what-ad-astra-gets-wrong-about-space-travel-astronomy-1838363861
This is so great! I love your work and you explained so many things I thought sounded dumb in the film. Although overall, I actually enjoyed Ad Astra--for the sound design, epic daddy issues, and Brad Pittness.
I saw this earlier this week, I could tell from the trailer it was not going to be science focused, was still pretty good though. Thank you for your analysis, You did a great job as always.
My favourite part was all the talk of it being a full-moon on the way but once on the surface of lunar they look back at earth and it is also illuminated... um, that’s not how it works. The side of earth facing them should have been in darkness.
Oh, and IRL we’ve been flying boosters back to the landing site for years now, yet in this future we’re still discarding spent first and second stages? Okay...
There are 2 different types of space movies. The first ones are science fiction movies about space ( Interstellar, Sunshine) the second type of movies are soley set in space but are not about space ( Passangers, Paneorum, Ad Astra)
Ad Astra came with a huge message. We're staring to the skies so focused on looking for intelligent life, we forgot to look back at ourselves. Intelligent life is right here. Roy McBride's journey is an analogy for a man's quest into himself, rediscovering himself, and learning to let go of everything that holds a man back.
It's not about space or science at all. That was just a way of portraying the story.
This is one of my favorite movies. I’m aware that the science isn’t perfect but the mood and story had me going. I can totally respect your opinion though. Really enjoyed the video.
I particularly enjoyed the scene in which Brad Pitt's character somehow managed to grab onto a hatch and enter the rocket's going to Mars with 2 or 3 seconds on the countdown without a sweat. It looked highly realistic IMO.
You left out the worst mistake. When Brad enters the rocket and they have the floating space fight on an aggressively accelerating rocket. They would be pinned hard in their seat.
First I thought they were building a space elevator and I thought: cool
Only after the film did I realize it was an antenna... So many missed opportunities
Let’s also talk about how all of the asteroid impacts on his shield would have slowed him to a stop and sent rocks hurling toward his ship (if he were accurate) or if he angled to deflect the rocks away from his ship he would have changed his own trajectory. Begin to hit rocks he wasn’t shielding himself from, and still come to a stop.
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Oh, and IRL we’ve been flying boosters back to the landing site for years now, yet in this future we’re still discarding spent first and second stages? Okay...
It's not about space or science at all. That was just a way of portraying the story.
Ad Astra: "Hold my beer..."
Physics: "Let me stop you right there."
Only after the film did I realize it was an antenna... So many missed opportunities