With the premiere of the new film, Jupiter Rising, just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to brush up on your science fact and science fiction knowledge!
Inspired by true events, Jupiter Rising is a story of one woman’s fight for survival in the face of unimaginable odds. While it’s a story of heroism and triumph, it’s also a story of curiosity and adventure.
Here to help you get acquainted with the science behind the movie and the science of space in general are Dr. Charley Linchpin and Dr. Karl Shifflet, hosts of the Ask a Spaceman podcast!
What Is the Difference Between Fact and Fiction When Inhabiting Space?
In the case of Jupiter Rising, one of the most profound and interesting differences between space and terrestrial life is that in space, everything is factual. In the film, the space travelers have to adhere to the laws of physics as they encounter them on their journey. In reality, though, this is rarely the case!
In space, a lot of the things that we take for granted on Earth do not necessarily apply. For example, your body does not function like a spaceship’s engine. Your senses do not work the same way, and you must learn to live with a very different set of perceptual realities. This can be disconcerting and even jarring at first, but it’s a small price to pay for the thrill of being able to explore the universe!
Why Is Sustainability Important In Space Travel?
One of the major issues that crops up time and time again in Jupiter Rising is sustainability. While many in the future want to leave the Earth behind them, they also wish to do so in a way that does not harm the host planet. So, as their spaceship arrives at a new planet for them to explore, they begin to design ways in which they can make it more sustainable. Of course, their first priority is to provide for their own survival, but they also want to leave a positive impact behind them! For example, they install solar panels on the spaceship so that they can generate their own electricity; they design a mechanical arm to collect recyclable materials for energy production; and they put in place new ways of generating food. These measures, while small, help make a difference!
Many different factors contribute to the sustainability of space travel. From the fuel that ships use to travel to their destination to the way in which they dispose of their waste, everything has to be carefully considered and planned for. Sustainability in space is not only desirable, it’s a necessity!
Is There Life In Outer Space?
It’s a question that’s plagued mankind since the beginning of time: is there life in outer space? While on the surface, this question may seem straightforward, NASA and other space agencies have found that it’s not so simple. While it would seem that the lack of a few inches of earth might make a big difference, the conditions in outer space are more extreme than we could ever imagine!
For instance, let’s say that you are an intergalactic hitchhiker who gets picked up by a passing spaceship. The space travelers want to know if they’re going to fly you to the nearest planet or if they’re going to keep you as a companion on their journey. In order to determine your fate, they beam you down to their spaceship where you find a golden ticket that allows you to board the vessel. Once aboard, you discover that the captain is a little bit flaky and he wants to take you on a suicide mission to investigate the disappearance of his wife several years earlier. You have two choices: you can either leave the spaceship or you can help the captain fulfill his demented goals. Your decision will determine what happens next!
To find out what happens, you’ll have to listen carefully to what the captain says because, in true Sci-Fi fashion, his words are laced with double meaning! For instance, when the captain talks about wanting to make the rest of the journey in peace, you’ll think that he means exactly what he says but, in fact, he might be talking about doing away with you! So, while it might be tempting to help the guy, perhaps it’s better to leave the spaceship and find your own fate!
Where Do We Go From Here?
One of the major themes behind Jupiter Rising is exploration. The audience is taken on a journey with the astronauts as they explore the four giant planets in the solar system and how they came to be. Although it may be thrilling to explore new worlds, especially worlds that are different from our own, this also means that we’re constantly on the move. This travel can be both exhilarating and life-changing, but it’s also exhausting!
In the final scene of the film, after spending months exploring all four giant planets, one of the astronauts begins to question the purpose of their journey and whether or not it was all worth it! It’s a valid point that he raises and, in fact, it’s a question that’s been haunting mankind since the dawn of time. While our species will continue to push the bounds of knowledge, perhaps one day we’ll find the ultimate answer to this question and live in bliss!