- [Dr. Moo] This episode of Nerdist News Edition
is sponsored by "Ad Astra".
(relaxing music)
- Hi, this is Doctor Moo
and we are Space Port America in New Mexico.
And while we're here,
were gonna get hands on in an actual space port,
learn about interstellar travel from NASA personnel
and we're going to find out exactly what it took
to get the movie "Ad Astra" off the ground and into space.
(relaxing music)
We are here with Robert Yowell,
the technical consultant for "Ad Astra"
and all-around amazing person.
- Oh, thank you. (both laugh)
Okay. (laughs)
- What key components, do you think, are closest to reality,
especially when it comes to space travel?
- The idea of us having commercial entities on the Moon
is probably fairly close to reality.
The other aspect, of course,
which is interesting
because I think it happened by accident,
the idea that we have military forces in space.
So,
if I'm not mistaken,
that came about because initially NASA
did not fully approve their involvement in the film,
so the next alternative is,
"Okay, let's make them US Space Command."
And when we made the film,
US Space Command didn't exist and now it does.
It's been reinstated after 17 years.
- We are here with Astronaut Melvin,
the most amazing in everybody's hearts,
astronauts. (laughs)
- You're too kind,
but thank you, thank you!
- So, I want to ask you a few questions about "Ad Astra"
and the linkages as an astronaut to the movie.
- You know, the views from space.
I mean, the first thing you see when you go up to space,
you look out the window,
you see these incredible views of our planet.
And that's one of the things that changes the way
you connect back to humanity
because of your perspective that you get.
And I think in "Ad Astra", you know,
it went much further than our planet,
it went to the Moon, it went to Mars
and then to Neptune.
And just to think, as an astronaut,
to maybe fly and live along the Martian surface one day,
or even go to Neptune,
those thoughts were really connecting with me
about how the next generation of explorers
would be doing some of those things.
And I'm hoping that I can help inspire them
to be those kids who go do that.
Maybe kids that look like me, you know, to do that.
- What are some of the challenges
in designing and implementing space port?
- So, the neat thing that we wanted to do
on our initial infrastructure here,
was to try and blend in the beautiful views
that our explorers in the past had
when they were on the trail
and they were looking at the San Andreas Mountains.
And so, the gateway to space
was designed to kind of blend in to the mountains.
Our goal is to try and make this space port,
a very beautiful creation that blends in from the Earth
and goes into space as we go forward in time.
- Of all of the things that happened in the movie,
they wanna take something that's kinda far away
and bring it to the present day.
What do you think is the closes reality as far as the tech
or some of the events that happened?
- Closest to reality now
is people living and working together in harmony, in peace
and knowing that if they screw up, you know,
everyone can go out from that.
I think the other parts of it are, you know,
the separation from family
and the feelings of loneliness and you know,
those types of psychological things that affect everyone
that goes to space sometimes,
it's part of it also.
- You are a shiny example of perseverance and positivity.
Do you have any advice for kids
who want to grow up to be like you?
- There's a quote by Mark Twain,
"The two most important days of your life
are the day you were born and the day you figured out why."
Figure out why you were born, what your purpose is
and if you wanna find space,
do the things that you love to do that involve math
and science and engineering and those kind of things.
Because if you don't get into the core,
you can always do the things that you love.
And those will be the cherry on top.
- So, it's gonna take a complete right turn.
(makes screeching noise)
I had a picture with you, almost exactly 10 years ago.
It looks like this.
Can we recreate that picture?
That was on your day of launch.
- Wow!
Well, cool.
Well, let's take it. - So, can we?
All right, let's do it!
Yeah. (laughs)
What a day we had here at Space Port America!
So, what do you think
about the future prospects of space travel?
Let's discuss!
Thanks "Ad Astra" for sponsoring today's episode.
"Ad Astra" follows astronaut Roy McBride played by Brad Pitt
as he embarks on a dangerous mission
across an unforgiving solar system, to save the Universe.
While he fights for his survival in the cold of space,
he also seeks the truth
about his missing father's doom's mission, 30 years earlier.
Check out "Ad Astra" on 4K, Ultra HD and Blu-Ray
on December 17th.
Or, grab it on Digital, right now!
(relaxing music)
(digital chimes)