Inside Project Hail Mary

NASA

by Monika Luabeya

February 26, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

NASA astronaut Kjell Lindgren recently met with the cast and crew of *Project Hail Mary* at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California. The event brought together scientists and filmmakers to discuss the intersection of science and entertainment, highlighting how NASA supported the movie’s creative team by providing subject matter experts to answer questions and offer insights. Lindgren, who also met with actor Ryan Gosling during filming to share his experiences as an astronaut, emphasized the importance of collaboration between scientists and storytellers in accurately depicting space exploration on screen. The *Project Hail Mary* production team, including actors Ryan Gosling and Sandra Huller, screenwriter Drew Goddard, directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, and producer-writer Andy Weir, visited JPL to discuss their work on the film. NASA’s involvement extended beyond Lindgren; the agency provided technical expertise to ensure scientific accuracy in the movie. This collaboration underscores how partnerships between NASA and the entertainment industry can help bring science to life for a broader audience. This event highlights the significance of bridging art and science, particularly in telling stories about space exploration. By working with experts like Lindgren and JPL scientists, the *Project Hail Mary* team gained valuable insights into human spaceflight and planetary science. Such collaborations not only enhance the realism of films but also inspire public interest in STEM fields and space exploration. For readers interested in the intersection of science and entertainment, this story demonstrates how creative projects can benefit from scientific expertise—and vice versa—ultimately fostering greater understanding and engagement with space-related topics.

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Originally published on NASA on 2/26/2026