From ‘Project Hail Mary’ to Artemis II, spaceflight captures audiences when it centers on people because human space travel is hazardous

Space is extremely dangerous, but people can still do more than robotic explorers can – in terms of technical achievements and inspiring public interest.

By: Scott Solomon, Rice University, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: March 27, 2026

Words: 1,324

Last Updated: 4 months ago

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By Scott Solomon, Rice University

The central premise of the blockbuster film “Project Hail Mary” is a long-shot mission with a familiar goal: Save humanity from extinction. While the details of the threat facing humanity are new to this story, moviegoers are used to bingeing on popcorn while watching a heroic quest to save the Earth from certain doom. And like so many popular movies of this genre, from “Armageddon” to “Interstellar,” …

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