Space Odyssey Showdown: Astronaut Slams 23-Year-Old Clint Eastwood Movie as Far from Reality
Astronaut criticizes Clint Eastwood's movie Space Cowboys for its inaccurate portrayal of astronaut training
Summary
Astronaut Chris Hadfield criticizes Clint Eastwood's film Space Cowboys for its inaccurate portrayal of astronaut training.
The movie's portrayal of the centrifuge scene lacks accuracy in showcasing the actual speed and impact of G-force, while the reactions of the astronauts are far from realistic. The depiction of the astronauts' age and expedited training in the film also deviates from reality, as authentic astronauts are carefully selected and undergo a rigorous and time-consuming training process during their prime years.
Clint Eastwood's Space Cowboys receive criticism from astronaut Chris Hadfield, who humorously states, "We are certainly not cowboys." Starring Clint Eastwood, Tommy Lee Jones, Donald Sutherland, and James Garner, the film depicts the journey of four former test pilots recruited by NASA to repair a Soviet satellite in space. Directed by Clint Eastwood himself, this adventure drama exceeded its $60 million budget at the box office and received critical acclaim due to its stellar cast and impressive special effects. However, the accuracy of the film's portrayal of astronaut training is another matter entirely.
In a video for Vanity Fair, Hadfield scrutinizes the centrifuge scene in Space Cowboys and provides his review on its authenticity. The real-life astronaut finds various aspects to criticize, such as the inaccuracy in the centrifuge's rotational speed and the unrealistic reactions of the fictional astronauts. Hadfield concludes his commentary by highlighting the extensive training that astronauts undergo, emphasizing that they are not thrill-seekers, adrenaline junkies, or cowboys. Read an excerpt from his commentary or watch the video below.
The objective of a centrifuge is not to induce blackout in astronauts. The maximum G force experienced during shuttle pulls was three, which is three times the gravity you currently feel. There is no need to rotate the centrifuge at an extremely high speed to reach three G's. The G-force portrayed in the video clip is completely unrealistic. If the centrifuge was spinning at that accelerated rate, the individuals would have been reduced to a gelatinous state on the floor. Moreover, the centrifuge itself would have disintegrated under such intense rotation. Despite this, Tommy Lee and Clint are both inexplicably leaning to the left in the video. When experiencing a sudden weight increase of fifteen times the normal amount, one should sit upright. The weight of your head being compressed by the centrifuge is supported by your spine in this position. Should they lean over like that, they would simply collapse under their left hip like an accordion. Many astronauts, particularly in the early days of the shuttle era, were former military fighter pilots and test pilots because those skills were necessary. Obtaining university degrees, accumulating thousands of hours of flight time, and engaging in practice, simulation, and learning were all crucial components in order to accomplish feats with an aircraft that had never been achieved before. However, we are not seekers of thrills. We are not aficionados of adrenaline. We most certainly are not cowboys. In order to succeed, we need individuals who are cautious, thoughtful, well-trained, disciplined, and focused on teamwork. Otherwise, we will all meet our demise. Nevertheless, saddle up, let's ride this bronco, because in the end, it's the Space Cowboy way.
How Accurate Is The Astronaut Training In Space Cowboys?
Out of all the scenes featured in the video, including Top Gun: Maverick and For All Mankind, Space Cowboys is the least accurate in terms of portraying astronaut training and space travel. The centrifuge scene fails to accurately depict important details on multiple levels. The speed at which the device is spinning would have subjected the astronauts to an unrealistic level of G-force, and they also incorrectly tilt their heads instead of sitting upright. In reality, such a scenario would have resulted in their demise during training, preventing them from carrying out their mission in space.
The age of the astronauts in Space Cowboys is unrealistic. Astronauts are usually chosen and trained during their prime years because of the physical demands and extensive training needed for space missions. The fast training depicted in the movie is particularly unrealistic, as the actual process, as seen in Chris Hadfield's case, takes about 20 years. Space Cowboys takes many artistic liberties when it comes to portraying astronaut training, but this can be understood as its main goal was to capture the excitement and thrill associated with space missions.
