Says dumb
The film mentions earlier human missions, but not why a probe could not replace them for a first look. The plan seems to put lives at risk for little reason.
Why did NASA send humans instead of robots to the candidate planets?
Interstellar
Interstellar (2014)
At 0:50:00Staff
Verdict: Explained. 45% of viewers say this is dumb. Top defense: The earlier missions had only sent back beacons, and the colony plan needed people on the ground.
Explained
45% dumb55% explained
620 votes
Dumbness rating
5.2/ 10(620 ratings)Explained. More viewers say this scene is explained than dumb, so it does not count toward the title score.
Easy solution ignored
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What happens in this scene
NASA's plan depends on finding a habitable planet for humanity. Instead of sending probes to check each one, the agency sends a crew through a wormhole. The film gives a short explanation about the earlier missions and the colony plan.
The tone toggle also switches the reviews below. Contains spoilers for this scene only.
Reviews 3
Says explained
The earlier missions were crewed and sent back a signal that they were alive. Sending a robot to check the same thing would not give the same data, and the colony plan needs people.
Says explained
The mission is to find a home and to set up a colony. The film treats the astronauts as part of the plan, not as scouts, and that is clear enough for the story.
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Actually, it’s explained
The earlier missions had only sent back beacons, and the colony plan needed people on the ground.
- DumbScenesStaff12 months ago
The earlier missions had only sent back beacons, and the colony plan needed people on the ground.
- rocketry_rob3 months ago
Plan B involved carrying embryos and setting up a colony. That is not a job for a robot alone.
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Quick Fix
Fixes are written by people. The smallest change, in 200 characters or fewer, that would have fixed the scene. AI is used only for duplicate detection, length and moderation.
Add a line
Have Brand say the probes lost signal near the wormhole, so humans have to go. One line in the briefing scene.
Would this fix it?82% say yes
DumbScenesStaff10 months ago
A newer idea
Swap a detail
TARS and CASE go through the wormhole first. The crew follows once they have confirmed that a planet is habitable.
Would this fix it?62% say yes
late_to_credits2 months ago
Suggest a fix
Also asked as
- Why not send robots to scout the planets?
- Why did Interstellar send astronauts through the wormhole?