Skeptic Check: Project Hail Mary
From Big Picture Science by Big Picture Science
March 16, 2026 · 59 min
About this episode
The episode features a discussion on the science behind Project Hail Mary with author Andy Weir and other guests, exploring themes of science fiction and its potential realities.
As protagonist Ryland Grace fights to save Earth - and possibly the universe - in Project Hail Mary, author Andy Weir discusses the science behind his sci-fi story and what it’s like to see it adapted for the big screen. From a diversity of aliens thriving in extreme environments, to our sun’s shortening lifespan, to the conundrum of keeping astronauts alive during intergalactic missions, we consider the possibility of science fiction becoming future reality. A NASA astrobiologist who consulted on the book weighs in on how Earthly creatures have inspired some of our favorite science fiction aliens. Plus, science fiction author Becky Chambers discusses how she balances science fact with fiction in her work. Guests: Andy Weir – science fiction writer, author of Project Hail Mary, The Martian, and Artemis Andy Fraknoi – professor of astronomy at the Fromm Institute at the University of San Francisco Becky Chambers – science fiction writer, author of To Be Taught if Fortunate, the Wayfinders series, and the Monk and Robot novellas Shawn Domagal-Goldman – NASA acting director, astrophysics division Big Picture Science is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Please contact…
People in this episode
Guests: Andy Weir, Andy Fraknoi, Becky Chambers, Shawn Domagal-Goldman
Topics covered
- science fiction
- space exploration
- intergalactic missions
- NASA
- astrobiology
- adaptation
- aliens
Keywords
- Project Hail Mary
- Andy Weir
- science fiction
- NASA
- aliens
- space
- intergalactic
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: NASA, Airwave Media, Fromm Institute
Books & works: Project Hail Mary, The Martian, Artemis, To Be Taught if Fortunate, the Wayfinders series, the Monk and Robot novellas
Places: University of San Francisco
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