Is the ship FTL or relativistic? Because either way, I am seriously side-eyeing something that looks as substantial and maybe as large as the ISS going 12 light years. Not to mention a lack of shielding against the background radiation.
Project Hail Mary | Ryan Gosling (March 20, 2026)
- Thread starter Aragorn
- Start date
Relativistic. I don't remember the details but I'm pretty sure the book covers all of those issues.
^ If I remember the novel correctly, it's relativistic. He's put asleep as it would take too long otherwise, but wakes up early for reasons I won't spoil.
And the story does touch on radiation shielding at a certain point, which again I won't spoil.
Andy Weir was smart enough to think of these things, but remains to see how that's translated to the movie.
And the story does touch on radiation shielding at a certain point, which again I won't spoil.
Andy Weir was smart enough to think of these things, but remains to see how that's translated to the movie.
I feel that in regards to sci-fi, ftl is often used to wave things away so they don't have to explain things. Relativistic seems to allow for more thought put into things, which is very much the case here, and some of the things and ideas factor into the story. I think people who haven't read the novel are going to be pleasantly surprised.
In regards to the book, it was my favourite sci-fi novel in the last several years.
In regards to the book, it was my favourite sci-fi novel in the last several years.
The substance used in radiation shielding is addressed in the book and somewhat of a spoiler.