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The Axiom is one of the locations seen in WALL•E .

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Description [ ]

The Axiom is one of the countless Starliner spacecrafts built by the Buy n Large Corporation (BNL) to evacuate humanity to space while the Earth (that was overwhelmed by trash due to mass consumerism) was cleaned by the BNLs machines, trash compactor robots called WALL-Es and huge mobile incinerators . It was described as “the jewel of the BNL fleet” and was most likely its flagship.

Designed as a massive luxury cruise ship, the Axiom kept everyone aboard fed and entertained as it cruised through space. The ship was crewed almost entirely by robots, though there was a human captain . The majority of the ship's functions were handled by its computer, as well as an autopilot called AUTO . The ship has all the trappings of a typical cruise liner, such as shops, restaurants and swimming pools, as well as robotic stewards to keep order and an escape pod bay in case of an emergency.

The Axiom orbiting the Horsehead Nebula.

WALL•E hitched a ride on one of the EVE probe transport ships that was returning to the Axiom .

At the time when he arrives at the Axiom , it as well as the other Starliners have been in space for hundreds of years because the cleaning operation had failed. The BNL CEO Shelby Forthright had ordered all Autopilots to follow Directive A-113 which was to stay in space and not return to Earth, regardless of any proof of life sustainability.

When the ship has docked in the Axiom , WALL•E sees how the bots begin to unload the five EVE units that the ship has transported. Because he loves the EVE probe one he wants to follow her, and he places himself on the third EVE so the Unloader arm bot believes that he is the third probe and places him at the place where the cleaner bots led by a small robot called M-O are cleaning the EVEs.

Then GO-4 , the ship's second-in-command, and two SECUR-T steward bots arrive there. GO-4 inspects EVEs, and he realizes that the probe one has found a plant. He summons a cart-like transport robot called MVR-A to take her away. GO-4 hops on the transport bot and a robotic arm loads EVE on it. WALL•E immediately starts to chase the MVR-A.

MVR-A takes EVE and GO-4 (and WALL•E who has grabbed a handle at the back of the transport bot) to the bridge of the Axiom . AUTO inspects EVE and awakes Captain McCrea. AUTO and GO-4 make the captain think that EVE has actually not found anything and that she is just defective. Whilst EVE is being taken care of at the repair ward, WALL•E misunderstood that she is being tortured and intervenes, causing the rejects to be free and identifying him and EVE as "rogue robots". Later, as EVE tries to send WALL-E back to Earth in a life-pod, they see that GO-4 tries to destroy the plant he has stolen from EVE. WALL•E manages to save the plant and EVE takes it to the captain.

After that, the captain orders AUTO to return back to Earth, but he disobeys because he must follow Directive A-113 . As McCrea tries to argue whether or not earth is habitable, AUTO and GO-4 stage a mutiny, locking McCrea in his quarters, overpowering EVE and WALL-E and sending them both down the garbage chute. Determined to return to Earth and restore it to its former glory, Captain McCrea fights AUTO for control of the ship, destroying GO-4 in the process when he attempts to intervene. EVE, WALL•E and the plant were almost sucked out into space, but EVE managed to free them both with M-O and the WALL•As helping to stop the airlock doors. When convinced to repair him on Earth, EVE helps WALL•E bring the plant to the Lido-Deck whilst the reject bots pursuit. AUTO temporarily rids himself of the captain by spinning himself; since he serves as the ship's wheel, this causes the Axiom to tip onto her starboard side, dislodging the passengers from their hover chairs. Though WALL • E is nearly destroyed trying to impede AUTO's efforts to prevent the ship from returning to Earth, Captain McCrea deactivates AUTO and the plant is placed in the scanner, triggering a hyper-jump which returns the Starliner to Earth and allows EVE to repair WALL•E back to life and it's passengers to begin restoring their home world. In the end credits sequence, it was shown still docked next to a lake with vegetation growing over parts of its hull.

• The literal meaning of the word "Axiom" is something that is taken for granted, reflecting on the Axiom population's over-indulgent lifestyle.
• According to "Captaining the Axiom" —a command orientation video shown to captains on their first day—the Axiom operates on a 25-hour day, and was located in the Kuiper Belt . [1]
• When WALL•E first sees the Axiom , it is located behind the Horsehead Nebula .

• Captain Reardon : 2105 - 2248 (first generation)
• Captain Fee : 2248 - 2379 (second generation)
• Captain Thompson : 2380 - 2520 (third generation)
• Captain Brace : 2521 - 2645
• Captain O'Brien : 2646 - 2774
• Captain B. McCrea : 2775 - 2805
• Using the years of service of the captains as a guide (around 140 years), assuming a captain could attain the rank at the age of 20, suggests the average lifespan of humans was, at the very least, around 160 years (this may easily be explained by microgravity conditions aboard, which led to much-lessened stress on muscles & hearts). Captain McCrea's two previous predecessors, Brace and O'Brien, however, served for around 130 years, suggesting that the starliner lifestyle was taking its toll on humanity. (Worth noting is that rather than an advanced life expectancy, these expanded dates may be due to time dilation. The Axiom, likely traveling between 90 to 95% the speed of light, would experience a fraction of the time (around 1/3) that actually passed on earth. The Axiom may be keeping track of time using Earth years while keeping time dilation in mind. If you divide the years of service for each of the captains by 3, they become far more reasonable lengths of time)

• The Axiom is seen in the background of the Hall of Everything in Soul

Gallery [ ]

References [ ]

• ↑ "Captaining the Axiom " WALL•E (Blu-ray, disc-two). ( also on YouTube )
• ↑ "Captain's Log: The Evolution Of Humans" WALL•E (Blu-ray, disc-two).
• 1 Inside Out 2
• 2 Lightning McQueen
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The Axiom’s Pivotal Role in WALL-E’s Journey

Welcome to the world of Axiom, the futuristic spaceship from the beloved Pixar movie, Wall-E! Axiom is a cruise ship that has been in space for 700 years, hosting a population of 600,000 humans and 500,000 robots. In this post we will explore the ship’s fascinating history and design.

Axiom was built by Buy N Large (BnL), a powerful corporation that had taken over the world’s economic system. To escape Earth’s pollution, BnL launched the Axiom into space to provide a home for its citizens.

The design of the Axiom is truly remarkable; it features an enormous engine nacelle large enough to accommodate 5,000 passengers and the largest supertanker ever built. Inside, there are five decks populated with humans and robots; each deck has its own distinct purpose. From the Lido Deck to Auto-Pilot Central Command, each area of Axiom has something unique to offer.

The interior of Axiom is also equipped with incredible technology. It runs on autopilot and can be controlled remotely from Earth by BnL officials. Additionally, it is designed with advanced safety protocols so that no human or robot can be sucked out into space should an airlock open unexpectedly.

One of the most memorable moments in Wall-E occurs when EVE and WALL-E take refuge in an airlock chamber during their pursuit by reject bots; EVE manages to close the airlock door just in time before they are sucked into space!

So there you have it – a comprehensive overview of Axiom, one of Pixar’s coolest creations! We hope you enjoyed learning aout this amazing spaceship, because it certainly plays an important role in Wall-E’s story!

The Representation of the Axiom in WALL-E

The Axiom represents a warning of what Earth could become if we do not take care of it. The Axiom is a huge spaceship filled with humans who have been forced to flee the polluted and dystopian world they have left behind on Earth. The ship is a literal representation of how far humanity has come in its pursuit of overconsumption and technological advancement, as well as its neglect of the environment and its consequences. The Axiom is filled with robots who cater to the humans’ every need, allowing them to float around in luxurious pods while their environment slowly deteriorates. This serves as a cautionary tale for viewers, demonstrating what could happen if mankind continues to ignore the consequences of their actions. WALL-E, an autonomous robot from Earth, serves as a reminder of hope, showing that even when all seems lost there is stll hope for a brighter future if we act responsibly.

Number of People Aboard the Axiom in WALL-E

The Axiom, the passenger spaceship featured in the animated science fiction movie WALL-E, was carrying a total of 600,000 passengers as well as 500,000 robots. This impressive figure is made up of 5,000 human passengers and 595,000 robots. It is the largest supertanker ever built and is capable of holding an incredible amount of people. These passengers were aboard the Axiom when it was launched from Earth to find a new home for humanity after the planet had become uninhabitable. The Axiom was powered by a large engine nacelle that enabled it to travel across space with its cargo of people and robots.

The Fate of the Axiom After WALL-E

After WALL•E and EVE, along with the plant, were almost sucked out into space, they were rescued and returned to the Axiom. On their return, the captain of the Axiom was informed of the plant’s discovery and ordered a search for a suitable settlement on Earth. After travelling through space for several weeks, the Axiom located an area on Earth that matched their criteria and landed there.

Once on Earth, WALL•E was repaired with help from EVE and the WALL•As, while all other robots worked together to build a human city and prepare it for colonization. Eventually, when all preparations were complete, humans began arriving and settling in the new city.

With ther mission accomplished and humans now living safely on Earth, the Axiom departed and returned to its original mission: searching deep space for any signs of life or civilization.

How Long Did Humans Spend on the Axiom in WALL-E?

In the Pixar movie WALL-E, humans are shown to have been on the Axiom for approximately 700 years. After a period of extreme consumerism and environmental pollution, humanity had to evacuate Earth in order to survive. The space-faring vessel called the Axiom was sent out carrying the last remaining population of humans, who were put in suspended animation until they could find a suitable planet to colonize. However, due to an autopilot malfunction, they remained in space for 700 years before being awoken by an automated probe sent from Earth. During this time, WALL-E, a robot left behnd on Earth, made his way onto the Axiom and helped EVE find evidence of plant life that could potentially help restore the planet.

The Significance of the Cockroach in WALL-E

The cockroach is a significant character in the movie WALL-E because it serves as a symbol of hope and resilience in the face of environmental destruction. The cockroach is the only creature aside from WALL-E that is able to survive in the toxic wasteland that Earth has become due to humanity’s neglect and abuse of their planet. It provides a reminder that, despite all the damage done, life still manages to thrive and survive in even the most desperate of circumstances. The presence of this resilient insect serves as a reminder that thee is still hope for humanity and our planet, if we can learn from our mistakes and take action.

The Symbolism of Buy N Large

Buy n Large is a fictional megacorporation featured in the 2008 Disney/Pixar film WALL•E. The company symbolizes the over-consumption and wastefulness of modern consumer culture. Through its logo, slogan (“Bigger Is Better”) and omnipresence in the movie, Buy n Large represents how people often become so obsessed with buying more and more products that they forget teir own values and sense of responsibility. In the movie, the corporation is responsible for polluting Earth with their garbage until it can no longer sustain human life, leading to humanity’s evacuation to space. The company’s products are seen as a symbol of excess and disposability, with characters throwing away items after only a single use. Buy n Large’s message is clear: our reliance on consumerism has caused us to overlook our environment and forget our responsibility to protect it.

How Long Did Humans Spend on the Axiom?

The humans on the Axiom were initially intended to live in outer space for five years while robots prepared Earth for recolonization. The plan was orchestrated by Buy N Large, a large corporation that had its logo visible from the ship’s main concourse. Professor Simon was in charge of inventing the robots, commonly referred to as WALL-Es, which were designed to clean up Earth and make it suitable for human inhabitation again. Ultimately, however, the humans ended up staying on the Axiom much longer than anticipated due to an unexpected malfunction of the autopilot system.

Distance of the Axiom From Earth

The Axiom was designed to hover approximately 250 miles above the Earth, making it far enough away for its passengers to experience the thrill of space travel without venturing too far from home. The Axiom offers a unique and exciting experience, allowing people to experience the wonders of space at a safe distance. At this altitude, passengers can sill see the curvature of Earth’s horizon and observe details on its surface, as well as witness amazing cosmic phenomena like sunrises and sunsets in rapid succession. Additionally, Axiom’s commercial space station will provide unprecedented access to research opportunities in areas such as astronomy and astrophysics.

Is WALL-E the Final Remaining Robot?

No, WALL-E is not the last robot. While he is the last active robot left from the original clean-up mission, there are still many robots and machines in use across the world today. In fact, automation has become increasingly prevalent and many robots can be seen in factories, hospitals, warehouses and even homes. Although WALL-E may be the last of his kind, he certainly isn’t alone in a world that relies ever more on robotics and automation.

Where Did the Humans in WALL-E Go?

The humans in WALL•E have left Earth on a giant ship called the Axiom. This is because of all the garbage they had created while living on the planet, leaving it uninhabitable. The Axiom is an intergalactic cruise liner that was sent out to search for a new home for humanity and can travel btween galaxies. The ship was designed with a fully automated system and enough supplies to last hundreds of years, so the humans were able to make the long journey without ever having to stop. Unfortunately, when they reached their destination, they found that it was already filled with humans and so they had to stay on the ship, unable to return home.

The Impact of Memory Loss on WALL-E

Yes, WALL-E did lose his memory after being zapped by AUTO. After EVE brought him home, she replaced his circuit board, which in turn restored his memories. Although it was a traumatic experience for WALL-E, he eventually regained his memories and is now back to normal.

The Presence of Humans on Earth in WALL-E

No, there are no humans on Earth in WALL-E. In the beginning of the movie, it is revealed that humans have abandoned Earth, leaving only a few robots behind to clean up their mess. These robots, such as WALL-E and EVE, have been left behind to continue their task, whle the humans cruise in space aboard a massive space liner. As the movie progresses, it becomes clear that the human race has been absent from earth for hundreds of years, with no intention of returning.

The Emergence of Sentience in WALL-E

WALL•E became sentient when he was left alone to fulfill his directive of collecting and compacting the garbage for 700 years. Over that time, WALL•E developed a “glitch” that enabled him to become self-aware and develop a personality. His curiosity led him to collect various objects istead of just compacting them, furthering his development. As a result, WALL•E was able to form relationships with other robots, think independently and form his own ideas and values.

What Does Earth Look Like in Pixar’s WALL-E?

In the movie WALL-E, Earth is depicted as a world in a state of decay. Human civilization has long since left, leaving behind a planet covered in an immense amount of trash and pollution. The sky is perpetually murky and grey, with smog clogging the air. Ruins of cities are all that remain of humanity’s former presence, along with towering piles of garbage reaching miles into the sky. Buildings are overgrown with vegetation, while the ground is littered with discarded packaging and waste. All in all, it paints a starkly realistic picture of what Earth culd look like if we continue to overuse resources and pollute our environment.

The Axiom in Wall-E serves as a warning to us of the destruction we could cause if we do not take care of our planet. It holds 600,000 passengers and 500,000 robots, and is the largest supertanker ever built. The Axiom’s inhabitants have been living in space for 700 years, only returning to Earth when WALL-E and EVE’s brave actions manage to bring them back. This serves as a reminder that even with technology and scientific advances, there is still a need for human connection and compassion in order to help sustain the world around us.

William Armstrong

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WALL-E’s 15th Anniversary: What the Movie Got Right (and Wrong)

We look back at the beloved animated movie to see whether the future it predicted was right or not..

Fifteen years ago today, a little rust-bucket robot named WALL-E ambled his way into theaters, touting a story of hope in a world desiccated with man-made debris. The movie’s concern for consumerism, technological takeovers and environmental crises rang true as future worries back then, but they’re all the more salient now. 

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Last month, many parts of the US experienced the kind of dusty haze of WALL-E ’s world due to Canadian wildfires. Drought and extreme heat is the new global normal . Twitter co-founder and former CEO Jack Dorsey recently commented on how the movie nails concerns over AI and evolving technology, saying that the film’s “out of touch” human characters represent “the future we’re driving towards.” It’s a film that has gotten a surprising amount of things right in its futuristic, sci-fi musings, so on its 15th anniversary, we’re looking back on what WALL-E got right and the things that it may have missed.

RIGHT: a failing (and aging) infrastructure 

WALL-E, much like the planet he occupies, is rusted, dusted and just about busted, long in need of a refurbishment that no one ever made a plan for. Rather than take care of the growing waste problems, the powers that be declared it better to bail. They left robots out to roam the Earth, their purpose merely to condense trash rather than dispose of it. That blasé approach to waste management mimics our own reality of recyclables —or rather, how un recyclable most things are.

WALL-E’s aged body reflects the kind of wear and tear allowed on some of our most valuable and necessary modes of infrastructure. Between bridges and ramps collapsing, as well as train derailments and chemical spills, we’re in a moment that sees the consequences of long-term inaction. The lovable robot may be sturdy, but the things he represents are increasingly fragile.

WRONG: a dry, dead planet

WALL-E ’s characterization of Earth is as a deserted planet; not only is it free of people, but it lacks any sign of life. In one scene, the film shows a dock completely dried up, a massive boat still standing in the sandy wreck. Though extreme drought is becoming common throughout the world, one of the biggest threats of the climate crisis is a rising sea level. WALL-E’s home seems fairly New York adjacent (he passes a Times Square-style quarter of the run-down city, decked out with “Buy ‘n Large” digital ads), appearing as a formerly densely populated coastal city. As any New Yorker who’s been in the city during hurricane season should know, that kind of locale is more at risk for intense flooding than rapid drying.

RIGHT: the proliferation of virtual experiences

Between the Metaverse and the ubiquity of devices like Amazon (AMZN) ’s Alexa and Google Home, people are in tune with the virtual world now more than ever. On board WALL-E ’s Axiom, a luxury spaceliner-turned-permanent residency, community members can change their outfits with the tap of a screen, receive on-demand food and drink, and stay connected to whatever the ship has to offer 24/7. Whether that means people are streaming movies and shows, playing virtual reality games, or shopping with a rapid delivery service, life on the Axiom shares lots of similarities with our own contemporary consumer experiences.

WRONG: physical media

WALL-E charms as a character thanks to his affinity for nostalgia. He watches Hello Dolly on cassette and records songs with a few old-fashioned buttons on his cubic torso. He’s a collector, one who’s curiously drawn to outdated physical media—all of which miraculously works. The interest in the oldies isn’t what the movie gets wrong here (physical media is the last line of defense from oblivion, after all), but that detail of everything working just fine is. Take it from a writer who rewatched the film on a scratched DVD recently; if these things get damaged sitting on a shelf, how can we expect them to be okay after a near apocalypse?

(Plus, WALL-E plugs in an old, old iPod at one point, and we all know how reliable Apple products are after only a few years . . . )

RIGHT: self-driving cars need some work

There are plenty of gags that WALL-E pulls off concerning robots who can’t fathom straying from their pre-programmed paths—a la self-driving cars. Several times, WALL-E and EVE pull off tight merges onto a robo-highway on the Axiom, only for every other robot to miss that cue to brake, causing multiple major pile ups. That reaction time (or lack thereof) has long been an issue for self-driving cars, machines that can’t fully register the presence of emergencies and pull over accordingly. The stakes are clearly different between the movie and our reality, but the machine responses are largely the same.

WRONG: space travel timeline

WALL-E establishes a fairly vague timeline for the Earth’s destruction and the rapid innovation of space travel, aside from two major years. The events of the film take place in 2805, and the planet is abandoned in favor of the Axiom ship in 2110—less than 100 years from now. While there have certainly been great strides in space exploration in shorter periods of time, we still seem far, far away from having a massive, population-carrying spaceship, lido deck and all. Tourist trips around the moon are only in development, and those are meant to be round-trip, rather than the Axiom’s one-way. We’re in a new, privatized space race, but it’s one that hasn’t yielded the most promising results .

RIGHT: stopping the climate crisis takes all of us

The movie ends in a righteous human victory, as the largely disempowered captain of the Axiom wrests control from his 2001: A Space Odyssey -coded autopilot. He uses his authority to turn the ship towards Earth, a place where virtual worldly comforts don’t exist. The people on the ship are happy to return to their planet, to put in the hard work, and to get a little dirty to make things right again (even though the fabled “pizza plant” doesn’t exist). It’s a call to action, for those in positions of power to make difficult decisions that will ultimately benefit us all, and for the rest of us who are caught in a cycle of consumerism. Helping the Earth is not an easy task, but it’s something we need to prioritize. WALL-E was right about it then, and it still is now.

• SEE ALSO : How Opera’s Crisis Can Become an Opera Renaissance

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• In the distant future, a small waste-collecting robot inadvertently embarks on a space journey that will ultimately decide the fate of mankind.
• In a distant, but not so unrealistic, future where mankind has abandoned earth because it has become covered with trash from products sold by the powerful multi-national Buy N Large corporation, WALL-E, a garbage collecting robot has been left to clean up the mess. Mesmerized with trinkets of Earth's history and show tunes, WALL-E is alone on Earth except for a sprightly pet cockroach. One day, EVE, a sleek (and dangerous) reconnaissance robot, is sent to Earth to find proof that life is once again sustainable. WALL-E falls in love with EVE. WALL-E rescues EVE from a dust storm and shows her a living plant he found amongst the rubble. Consistent with her "directive", EVE takes the plant and automatically enters a deactivated state except for a blinking green beacon. WALL-E, doesn't understand what has happened to his new friend, but, true to his love, he protects her from wind, rain, and lightning, even as she is unresponsive. One day a massive ship comes to reclaim EVE, but WALL-E, out of love or loneliness, hitches a ride on the outside of the ship to rescue EVE. The ship arrives back at a large space cruise ship, which is carrying all of the humans who evacuated Earth 700 years earlier. The people of Earth ride around this space resort on hovering chairs which give them a constant feed of TV and video chatting. They drink all of their meals through a straw out of laziness and/or bone loss, and are all so fat that they can barely move. When the auto-pilot computer, acting on hastily-given instructions sent many centuries before, tries to prevent the people of Earth from returning by stealing the plant, WALL-E, EVE, the portly captain, and a band of broken robots stage a mutiny.
• In the distant future, humans abandon Earth because there is too much trash on it. WALL-E, with habit of picking up everything he finds interesting, lives alone on the planet with a pet cockroach. He has quite a collection of things, from lighters to a working iPod and even a small ring box (without the ring). He even has the last living plant. When a spaceship comes to earth and drops a sleek and dangerous probe EVE to look for a living plant, WALL-E falls in love with her. WALL-E gives her the plant, which makes EVE go into sleep mode. When a spaceship comes to take EVE back, WALL-E too goes with her. What follows is an adventure onboard the Axiom, where people move on hovering chairs and get liquid food which they suck up through a straw. Due to laziness, they have become so fat that they are unable to move. Due to hastily given instructions given to it, auto, the autopilot it tries to get rid of the plant which compels WALL-E, EVE, the pilot and some malfunctioning robots to find a way to retrieve the plant and save the earth. — srijanarora-152-448595
• WALL-E, short for Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth-class, is the last robot left on Earth. He spends his days tidying up the planet, one piece of garbage at a time. But during 700 years, WALL-E has developed a personality, and he's more than a little lonely. Then he spots EVE, a sleek and shapely probe sent back to Earth on a scanning mission. Smitten WALL-E embarks on his greatest adventure yet when he follows EVE across the galaxy. — Jwelch5742
• It's late in the third millennium, and Earth has become an uninhabitable wasteland with nothing able to grow. Several hundred years earlier, a corporation called Buy-N-Large shipped all humans off the planet to live on starships, they biding their time until Earth is able to regenerate itself into an inhabitable planet. They also left WALL·E (Waste Allocation Load Lifter: Earth-Class) robots on Earth to clean up and compact all the industrial waste. Only one WALL·E remains, it which has gained emotions and the ability to feel. In order to survive emotionally, WALL·E uses whatever it can find as touchstones to past life on Earth. Despite their initial antagonistic encounter, WALL·E befriends an EVE (Extra-terrestrial Vegetation Evaluator), a droid sent from the mother ship, Axiom, as a sensor to gauge if life has regenerated on Earth. Not knowing about EVE's mission, WALL·E is surprised by EVE's interest in a small seedling WALL·E previously found and brought back to its makeshift abode. In EVE needing to take the seedling back to Axiom, WALL·E, not wanting to lose its new friend, hitches a ride as a stowaway to Axiom. A combination of WALL·E making it back to Axiom and EVE bringing back the seedling leads to a risk to both their survival, as AUTO, the automated pilot manning Axiom, has its own agenda against the recolonization of Earth. — Huggo
• A Dystopia in the Future Approximately seven hundred years in the future, the Earth is over-run with garbage and devoid of plant and animal life, the consequence of years of environmental degradation and thoughtless consumerism. The surviving humans are living on the spaceship Axiom after vacating Earth centuries earlier. Axiom is operated by a large corporation called Buy N Large, whose BnL logo appears even on the artificial sun visible from the ship's main concourse. The original plan was for humans to live in outer space for 5 years while cleaning robots ("WALL-Es" invented by Professor Simon) prepared Earth for recolonization. However, after seven hundred years, only one WALL-E (voice: Ben Burtt ) remains. WALL-E spends his days compacting debris into solid blocks and building structures with them. He also collects some of the more interesting artifacts and keeps them in the garage he shares with a cockroach, his only friend. At night he watches Hello Dolly on VHS and dreams of having a hand to hold. Most of his finds are spare parts and electronics but one day he discovers a lonely plant. Not sure what it is, but recognizing that it needs soil and care, he picks it up and puts it in a dirt-filled old shoe. The next day, an enormous spaceship lands and deposits another robot, EVE (Extraterrestrial Vegetation Evaluator, voice: Elissa Knight ). WALL-E is immediately smitten and hopes to hold her hand, but EVE is quick to use her plasma cannon, which can blast a hole through anything. EVE flies around Earth looking for vegetation but becomes distraught upon not finding any. WALL-E is finally able to approach her and takes her back to his garage where he shows her his collection of human artifacts. She still resists holding his hand, however, so he shows her the plant he found. This activates her prime directive: she takes the plant into a special containment capsule within her body, sends a signal to the mother ship, and goes into hibernation mode. Confused, WALL-E tries to make her safe and comfortable. He shelters her from thunderstorms and takes her to a park where he can watch the sunset next to her. Several days later, the mother ship returns and collects EVE. WALL-E hitches a ride on the ship, which returns to the Axiom several light years away from Earth. EVE and WALL-E are examined in the landing bay. EVE, still in hibernation mode, is taken away to the ship's commander. WALL-E pursues her, followed by M-O (voice: Ben Burtt ), a cleaning robot who is intent on scrubbing the filthy WALL-E to remove foreign contaminants (i.e. dirt or earth). On the way, WALL-E sees humans for the first time. Obese and largely unable to move on their own, they are carted around the Axiom in hover chairs with video screens that allow them to communicate with one another and see a variety of advertisements for drinkable food products. When WALL-E accidentally knocks one of the humans, John (voice: John Ratzenberger ), off his hover chair, WALL-E helps the man back into the chair and introduces himself. Confused but grateful, John introduces himself in return. WALL-E tracks EVE to the chambers of Captain McCrea (voice: Jeff Garlin ), who is just as inert and catered to as the other humans. McCrea is confused but excited about Operation Recolonize, which is triggered by EVE's find. But when McCrea reactivates EVE and orders her to produce the plant, it is missing. McCrea orders EVE and WALL-E to be taken for repairs but, after they've left, decides to educate himself about Earth. In the repair bay, WALL-E mistakenly thinks EVE is being harmed by the repair crew and uses her plasma cannon to save her, inadvertently releasing other robots who had been taken in for service. During the breakout, security robots take photos of them; the ship's computer announces to humans that EVE and WALL-E are renegade robots. Angry, EVE takes WALL-E to an escape pod to send him back to Earth. Before she can put him in the pod, they see Gopher putting the plant in the escape pod. After Gopher leaves, WALL-E goes to rescue the plant but is blasted into space. Before the pod self-destructs, WALL-E uses the emergency escape hatch and a fire extinguisher to exit the pod with the plant. A joyous EVE plays in space with WALL-E and even gives him an appreciative electric kiss. Using the garbage chute, EVE and WALL-E sneak into McCrea's cabin to give him the plant. But Auto (voice: MacInTalk ), the ship's auto pilot system, reveals it was the one who stole the plant earlier. It has no intention of allowing a return to Earth because of a centuries-old directive that was issued when the Earth was believed to be permanently uninhabitable. Auto blasts WALL-E, EVE and the plant back down the garbage chute and confines McCrea to his cabin. WALL-E and EVE barely escape being shot into space with the rest of the refuse but WALL-E is badly damaged. Meanwhile, McCrea has figured out how to hack into the ship's communication system and tells EVE and WALL-E to head to the ship's central deck, where a special machine will return the ship to earth when the plant is placed inside it. With the help of the robots they liberated earlier, WALL-E and EVE make it to the central deck where the special machine has risen from a platform. Auto tries to force the machine back into the platform but is prevented by WALL-E. McCrea manages to stand up on his own and shuts off AUTO. EVE puts the plant in the special machine and the Axiom is whisked back to Earth. WALL-E was grievously crushed in keeping Auto from collapsing the platform. Once they reach Earth, EVE rushes WALL-E back to his garage and repairs him. WALL-E doesn't recognize her and begins to compact garbage. Distraught, EVE holds WALL-E's hand and gives him an electric kiss again. This properly reboots WALL-E. McCrea teaches the other humans how to nurture the plant and heal the planet. It will be much easier than they think because just outside the city, plants have already begun to flourish.

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EARN POINTS AND UNLOCK REWARDS FOR MOVIE PURCHASES WITH DISNEY MOVIE INSIDERS

June 27, 2008

Animation, Science Fiction

After hundreds of lonely years of doing what he was built for, the curious and lovable WALL-E discovers a new purpose in life when he meets a sleek search robot named EVE.

Rated: G Release Date: June 27, 2008

Directed By

• motionpictures.org
• filmratings.com

WALL-E Trailer

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The characters.

WALL·E (Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth-Class) is programmed to clean up the planet, one trash cube at a time. However, after 700 years he's developed one little glitch, a personality. He is extremely curious, high inquisitive and a little lonely.

A painting bot complete with a multi-color fibrous pigment distribution system for all of the Axiom’s painting needs.

An accordion-necked vacuum-bot aboard the axiom. Programmed to clean and scrub, but prone to sneezing fits.

A robotic hairdresser aboard the Axiom, programmed to make small-talk as she styles hair with her cutting edge styling technology.

Microbe Obliterator M-O is a cleaner-bot who loves to clean away all foreign contaminants that find their way onto the Axiom.

A light-bot aboard the Axiom. L-T requires a 120 watt dual-setting halogen bulb, and boasts an anti-gravity magnetic airframe.

One of the Axiom’s many massage-bots, complete with soothing visual display and an even-tempered behavioral mod chip.

Small but easily identifiable with their red lights, GO-4 units are charged with overseeing security on the Axiom.

EVE (Extraterrestrial Vegetation Evaluator) is an advanced probe droid. Called "Probe One" by the Captain of the Axiom, EVE is one of several robots who are sent to Earth on a scanning mission.

The Axiom’s defib-bot, sometimes prone to delivering a bit too much charge through their paddles. Often heard saying “clear!”

An extremely resistant and loyal cockroach who survives on dessert snack, Hal is WALL-E’s pet and best pal on Earth.

An umbrella-bot, used to provide shade while on the Axiom more often than to protect passengers from rain.

The Axiom’s autopilot for all of its 700 years in space, Auto is cold, mechanical, and a bit controlling of the Captain.

WALL•E and EVE: on a mission.

EVE is laser-focused on her job.

WALL•E is in a prime spot to catch some solar rays.

WALL•E figures out an ingenious way to navigate space.

WALL•E can always trust Hal to stick by his side.

WALL•E and EVE make a great team, most of the time.

WALL•E is one of those robots who has a hard time keeping his head out of the clouds.

WALL•E stumbled upon something truly unique to give to EVE.

WALL•E likes the view from the great beyond.

WALL•E tries to understand what the world was like long ago.

WALL•E holds on to the things he loves.

Robots: more romantic than anticipated.

WALL•E learns about humans and emotions by watching an old film.

Being the last “Waste Allocation Load Lifter – Earth-Class” can be a bit lonely.

One of these robots is not like the others.

Waste allocation and load lifting is a tough job, but someone has to do it.

Hal watches as WALL•E goes on his first adventure.

EVE is excited that WALL•E is himself again.

The first time WALL•E meets EVE, she’s all business.

Hello outer space.

Discover WALL-E Products at DisneyStore.com

WALL•E ''WALL•E and EVE'' Canvas Artwork by Tim Rogerson – Limited Edition

WALL•E Cooler Tote

WALL•E ''WALL•E's Wish'' Giclée by Tom Matousek – Limited Edition

WALL•E ''WALL•E and E.V.E.'' Signed Giclée by Tim Rogerson – Limited Edition

WALL•E ''WALL•E's Wish'' Signed Giclée by Tom Matousek – Limited Edition

WALL•E Plush – Small 8''

EVE Plush – WALL•E – Small 7 1/2''

WALL•E and E.V.E Tie-Dye T-Shirt for Adults

WALL•E ''Electrifying'' Canvas Artwork by Rob Kaz – 15'' x 30'' – Limited Edition

WALL•E ''Electrifying'' Canvas Artwork by Rob Kaz – 10'' x 20'' – Limited Edition

WALL•E and E.V.E. Heart Necklace

WALL•E and E.V.E. Earring Set

WALL•E Emoji Tee for Kids – Customizable

WALL-E Mug – Customizable

WALL-E Tee for Kids – Customizable

WALL-E Tee for Adults – Customizable

PIXAR Collection 7-Quart Slow Cooker

PIXAR Glass Top Serving Tray and Knife Set

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Review: WALL-E Is Not a Realistic Take on Space Travel

If we move to space, it probably won't be because we filled up earth with trash..

Natalie Dowzicky | From the December 2022 issue

As the last solar robot on Earth, WALL-E spends his days compacting skyscrapers of trash in an abandoned city with no sign of life, until one day when he finds a small plant. Centuries before WALL-E's discovery, the Buy n Large corporation packed up all the human beings on cruise ship–like spacecrafts to flee the uninhabitable Earth. Disney and Pixar's  WALL-E  represents a totally inaccurate vision of both the future of Earth and the future of space colonization.

Worries about trash taking over Earth and thus making it unlivable are not novel. Headlines such as "The World's 2-Billion-Ton Trash Problem Just Got More Alarming" and "Where Will the Trash Go When All the U.S. Landfills are Full?" have been in the news for years. Yet people have always innovated to find ways to more efficiently store waste.

To imagine the human future in space as just a means to escape our own trash piles undervalues the possibilities of space life—many of which haven't been thought of yet. When space is more accessible to everyone, there is no reason to believe most people will waste their days drinking Orange Fanta out of oversized cups in hover chairs with screens inches from their faces.

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The Movie Review: 'Wall·E'

For over a dozen years now, the best name in American film has been Pixar. No movie star, no director, no writer, producer, or studio approaches its level of consistent excellence. Even Pixar's weaker offerings ( A Bug's Life , Cars , and--in my moderately heretical view-- Finding Nemo ) have exceptional depth and texture, moral as well as visual. And its best efforts ( Toy Story , The Incredibles ) are simply transcendent, rivaling the finest live-action films in sophistication and sentiment.

Pixar's newest movie, WALL·E , is firmly in the latter tier, and quite possibly at the top of it. It is, in a word, a marvel, a film that recalls in equal measure Hollywood's most evocative future visions-- Blade Runner and Brazil , E.T. and 2001 --and the silent intimacies of Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin. It is a story about love and loneliness, perseverance and triumph, the possibilities and pitfalls of human existence. That this story is told by way of the exploits of a tiny, faceless robot only makes it more extraordinary.

The movie, written and directed by Finding Nemo 's Andrew Stanton, opens to the strains of Hello Dolly 's "Put on Your Sunday Clothes" as the virtual camera closes in from space on an abandoned Earth, its air choked with smog and land littered with debris. (The contrast between celebratory song and dystopian vision seems a nod to Brazil , whose titular tune was also borrowed for one of the WALL·E previews.) Soon we arrive at a desolate cityscape, where empty skyscrapers jockey for position with strange, craggy spires that jut upward like outstretched fingers a thousand feet tall.

It is a profoundly creepy image, and one that becomes none the less so when we learn that these mighty summits are in fact piles of garbage, compacted into cubes and neatly stacked to the sky by an industrious little Waste Allocation Load Lifter: Earth class--a.k.a. WALL·E. The humble robot, which resembles a toaster oven on tank treads with binoculars attached on top, has been dutifully building these celestial ziggurats for hundreds of years now, and he's been doing it alone: Human beings have long since fled the polluted planet and his fellow machines have been shut down or worn out. His professional obligations aside, WALL·E is also, like the Little Mermaid before him, an inveterate collector of human detritus: discarded silverware and lighters, a Rubik's Cube, a battered videotape of Hello Dolly .

One day, however, his routine is dramatically interrupted by the arrival of an immense star cruiser, and on it, a robot of another sort altogether: floating effortlessly above the ground, humming softly, as smooth and white and unblemished as an egg. (It comes as no surprise that renowned Apple design guru Jonathan Ive consulted on the look.) WALL·E is smitten, though his ugly-duckling-and-the-swan courtship is complicated by this particular swan's possession of atom blasters and a shoot-first mandate. Still, WALL·E persists, eventually introducing "EVE" (an Extraterrestrial Vegetation Evaluator) to the irresistible attractions of bubble wrap and twinkle lights. It's clear he would travel to the ends of the Earth for her.

As it happens, he has to go much farther than that. Without spoiling the details--this is truly a film better experienced than explained--WALL·E follows EVE deep into space, where he discovers what has gone wrong with the human race and undertakes, with typical diligence, to fix it. This latter half of the film is familiar Pixar: a touch formulaic, perhaps, but executed with exceptional wit, intelligence, and panache. And while the film's moral lessons--about the seductions of comfort and importance of effort, the proper relationship between man and machine, the need to clean up our own messes--are not unexpected, they are, like previous Pixar homilies ( Toy Story 2 on commodification, Cars on commerce versus community, Ratatouille on the joy of creation), woven seamlessly into the overall fabric of the film. Neil Postman and Aldous Huxley would be proud.

Characteristically sharp as this second half is, though, it's the earlier, Earthbound portion of the film that lingers, the quiet, nearly dialogue-free moments alone with WALL·E and the problematic object of his affections. That Pixar could make this ambulatory trash compactor so expressive, could convey his longing and loneliness so emphatically simply through the images reflected in his binocular lenses, is a cinematic miracle. You might have to go back the better part of a century to find a mainstream movie in which so much is conveyed with so very few words.

It would be easy to go on about the sheer visual beauty of WALL·E , which marks yet another milestone in the evolution of animation. Oscar-nominated cinematographer Roger Deakins ( No Country for Old Men , The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford ) was even brought in to consult on the look of the film and offer advice on its "lighting." But, in the end, this technical mastery is less remarkable than the humanistic ends to which it is applied.

It is an irony of Pixar's oeuvre that its films so often feature inanimate objects (toys, cars, robots) that offer lessons in what it means to be human. But, deliberately or not, these stories appear to be refractions of a sort, retellings of the story of Pixar itself: the high-tech start-up at the cutting age of digital animation which, again and again, reminds us of the power of motion pictures--even ones about robots--that possess a vital, beating heart.

This post originally appeared at TNR.com.

Why Wall-E Is a Cute Post-Apocalyptic Movie No Matter How It Goes

By tamara wilhite february 15th, 2019, 7:00 est.

“Wall-E” is arguably the cutest post-apocalyptic movie ever. It is clear that the environmental disaster forced humanity to flee the Earth. We don’t see billions dead, though they’re likely under the trash, because there is no way humanity could build more than a modest armada. We don’t see an armada. We only see the Axiom. One ship with a few thousand people is the remnant of the human race.

The world they left behind is in sorry shape. Wall-E has a bug for company, and given the nature of those species, others exist. Maybe they live off the remains of human civilization. There is certainly enough food for them, since Wall-E’s cohorts all seem to be dead. Since Wall-E has no issues scavenging them and interfering in normal functions of other bots for the sake of his love of novelty, it is possible he and others like him in their budding individuality sabotaged the clean-up effort. That explains why he is the only one we see, since properly functioning clean up bots would have eventually finished where they were working and expanded to the rest of the world. Yet we only see life where Wall-E is, a struggling remnant. There’s no seed blown from a secret garden on the other side of the continent – the ship couldn’t have hidden that, and Evie’s ship would have noticed a wilding continent had it existed.

We’re now looking at a nearly dead planet killed by humanity and the mechanical saviors left behind which have utterly failed. The lovable rogues are undermining the successful restoration of humanity. And then Wall-E goes with Evie back to the Axiom where he continues in that pattern.

Evie is intelligent and developing independence. She fights the designation as defective and recovers the plant from the Autopilot. However, the Autopilot is the most capable machine in existence. It kept a large (in more ways than one) human population alive and happy. We don’t see any other ships, so it is the most successful autopilot/central controller because it alone has shepherded its crew. They gave up initiative because they were cared for, and the autopilot/central controller allowed it – or incentivized it. Note that this is the maternal oppression, become more dependent on me so I have purpose, become more helpless so that it is easier for me to help you.

The Autopilot fighting the Captain over control of the ship is reasonable to the Controller and us, once we think about it. It took over all functions of support for the human race, raising food, processing waste, literally supporting their fatter butts, until it was raising their children, too. How much of the Autopilot’s refusal to obey is powdered butt syndrome? You know it had to have changed his diapers and taught him to talk. Given the obesity and helplessness of the crew, it may have even handled the genetic interchange necessary to create humans. OK, let’s not think about that.

The Captain disabled the the Auto-Pilot. This is the system that kept everyone fed, recycled waste, made their clothes, and entertained them. Turning it off doesn’t teach humans how to do these things themselves. It destroys the only system that could teach them to do it themselves.

Wall-E could teach them remnants of human culture, but they need to learn the basics of survival now. And they don’t have time to wonder at the wonders of the past. The human race is running out of time.

The Axiom is a space ship that was maintained by machines. With the auto-pilot/central controller shut down, many key maintenance activities have stopped. There are independent, specialized robots around that are still running. However, many of them are useless, and those that may be useful lack support. Umbrella-bot, for example, is useless. The dedicated cleaning bot could be useful at cleaning and minimizing disease risks, but there is no one to maintain it. Can Wall-E fix it if it is damaged? Equally important, would it? We don’t know how many useful functional robots there are that could fill in the gap before humanity has no other assistance, but they’re now deteriorating. Given Wall-E’s world before the Axiom arrived, we know they’ll all fail eventually. Given that many malfunctioning bots are running around acting far outside acceptable parameters already, the useful, working ones will be worn down and broken even faster, joining the broken mess of planet Earth. A few smart guardians may save a few people from accidents in the broken world, but they’ll eventually break down or be destroyed, and humans start dying in cave-ins and falls. Remember – this is a small population that can’t afford to lose anyone, but they will lose many.

The ending is supposed to be happy. They’re on the planet. They’re walking. Congratulations – you started growing plants. Doesn’t mean it is edible. Doesn’t mean people know how to make it edible, if cooking is necessary. Certainly doesn’t mean that plant you’re growing is going to provide a balanced diet. And you don’t know where your prior food sources came from, and there are probably no intelligent droids that can both tell you and teach you how to utilize it. There is a theory that the Axiom residents were eating their dead to recycle the dead bodies and provide nutrients for humanity. That is a high fat food source, and you could mask the taste by mixing with flavorings and having them sip it through a straw… maybe it is a good thing no one is around to tell them THAT. (This theory was originally proposed on the YouTube channel “Film Theory”.)

The main requirements of survival are shelter, water and food. Shelter they may fathom and be able to make after the Axiom is no longer good enough. The hard part is taking humans with no concept of work and both teaching them the tasks and the motivation to do so. They had drinks on the ship, but someone will need to teach them proper water recycling, rain harvesting and water treatment soon before human waste mixes into the water and causes massive outbreaks. They’re growing plants, but there isn’t enough volume of it or sufficient nutrition to support them long term.

It is almost certain they will eventually be wiped out by a mix of thirst, hunger, water-borne illness, malnutrition and accidents.

Even the ostensibly happy ending, “Wall-E” is still the start of a cute post-apocalyptic movie.

About the Author

Tamara wilhite.

Your discussion of the ending of WALL-E reminds me of the ending of THX-1138. Does anyone really think that THX-1138 will survive in the wild word that he enters after his escape? The scene is beautiful, with the rising natural sun replacing the fluorescent dimness of his enclosed world, but what will he eat or drink? There will apparently be plants and animals, but which plants will be edible, and how will THX-1138 know which are okay to eat and which will kill him? He won’t. His beautiful, glorious escape just when his pursuers are close (only to be called …  Read more »

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WALL-E: Tackling Space Debris for a Cleaner Orbital Future

• February 29th, 2024
• No Comments

Table Of Contents

The Oscar-winning animated film “WALL-E” introduced many to a vision of Earth’s orbit crowded with space debris, a portrayal that resonates with current concerns among scientists and space agencies. This floating detritus consists of defunct satellites, spent rocket stages, and fragments from disintegrations, collisions, or other related incidents. As these objects travel at high speeds, they pose a risk to operational spacecraft, including satellites and manned missions, leading to potential damage or catastrophic collisions.

Understanding the characteristics, origins, and potential impacts of space debris is essential for the future of space exploration and the protection of our orbital environment. With efforts to manage and mitigate debris, there are strategies being developed to track and remove objects from orbit. However, ensuring the long-term sustainability of Earth’s critical orbital layers requires international cooperation and innovative technological solutions. Surveillance of space debris involves tracking thousands of pieces to predict possible collisions, while mitigation strategies include designing spacecraft that minimize debris generation.

Key Takeaways

• “WALL-E” reflects real concerns regarding space debris and the overcrowding of Earth’s orbit.
• Space debris poses a collision risk to active spacecraft and requires consistent tracking and management.
• Sustaining a safe orbital environment necessitates international collaboration and advanced mitigation strategies.

Understanding Space Debris

When discussing the sustainability of space exploration and the protection of Earth’s orbit, it is essential to have a comprehensive understanding of space debris. This section explores the characteristics, origins, and potential future implications of the debris that surrounds our planet.

The Nature of Orbital Debris

Orbital debris, commonly referred to as space junk, consists of objects in Earth’s orbit that no longer serve any useful purpose. This includes everything from decommissioned satellites to fragments resulting from collisions or disintegration. Such debris travels at speeds up to 7.5 kilometers per second ( approximately 17,500 mph ), posing a significant threat to operational spacecraft, including the International Space Station (ISS), satellites in low earth orbit, and future manned missions.

Sources and Types of Space Junk

Space junk originates from various human activities in space. Man-made debris includes:

• Nonfunctional Satellites : Satellites that have completed their mission or malfunctioned remain in orbit.
• Launch Vehicle Stages : Rocket stages used to propel payloads into space may be left adrift.
• Mission-Related Debris : Objects ranging from lens caps to astronaut tools can escape and remain in orbit.

Fragmentation Debris : This category consists of smaller pieces generated by accidental explosions or high-speed collisions. These remnants pose an escalated risk due to their sheer numbers and difficulty to track.

The Kessler Syndrome and Its Implications

Proposed by NASA scientist Donald J. Kessler in 1978, the Kessler Syndrome describes a scenario in which the density of objects in low earth orbit is high enough that collisions between objects could cause a cascade of collisions. Each collision generates more debris, further increasing the likelihood of subsequent collisions. This self-perpetuating cycle could exacerbate the space debris problem and potentially render some orbital regions inhospitable for decades, complicating future missions and satellite deployments.

Historical Context and Current Challenges

To understand the future of Earth’s orbit, it’s crucial to examine the evolution of space debris, notable incidents, and the mounting risk of collisions.

The Evolution of Space Debris

Space debris has been accumulating since the dawn of the Space Age with the launch of Sputnik in 1957. Over time, the number of debris objects—from defunct satellites to spent rocket stages and even tools dropped during spacewalks—has increased significantly. ASAT tests , or anti-satellite weapon tests, have further contributed to this clutter, leaving a trail of fragments in orbit.

High-Profile Incidents and Accidents

One such incident is the 2009 collision between the defunct Russian satellite Cosmos 2251 and the operational Iridium communications satellite, which resulted in thousands of pieces of debris. High-profile accidents of this sort underscore the challenges posed by space debris.

The Increasing Risk of Collisions

As more nations and private entities send satellites into orbit, the risk of collisions in space grows. Such events can lead to a cascade effect known as Kessler Syndrome, where debris generates more debris, potentially limiting the use of specific orbital paths. It’s a challenge that continues to compound as Earth’s orbits become increasingly populated with satellites for communication, navigation, and observation.

Earth’s Orbit and Its Critical Layers

The various layers of Earth’s orbit are essential for different types of space operations, with specific altitudes and density conditions determining their suitability for different purposes.

Low Earth Orbit and Its Importance

Low Earth Orbit (LEO) is the region of space within 2,000 kilometers above the planet’s surface. It’s the busiest area of Earth’s orbit, characterized by its high density of satellites. Notably, LEO is critical for many modern conveniences such as satellite television, weather forecasting, and Earth observation, allowing for real-time communication and data collection.

• Altitude : Ranges from about 160 kilometers to 2,000 kilometers above Earth’s surface.
• Density : Higher density of satellites compared to higher orbits.
• Importance : Ideal for many types of Earth-observing satellites, the International Space Station, and is the primary destination for most human spaceflights.

Geostationary Orbit and Its Vulnerabilities

Geostationary Orbit (GEO) lies approximately 35,786 kilometers above Earth’s equator. Satellites here maintain a constant position relative to the Earth’s surface, making it a prime location for communications and weather satellites. However, the GEO belt is becoming increasingly populated, leading to concerns over space debris and the potential for collisions, which could damage vital infrastructure.

• Altitude : Approximately 35,786 kilometers.
• Density : Lower satellite density than LEO, but growing concerns over space debris.
• Vulnerabilities : Risk of space debris causing collisions; the geostationary ring has limited space, necessitating careful management to prevent overcrowding.

Impact of Space Debris on Earth and Spacecraft

Space debris presents significant risks to satellites, space missions, and safety upon reentry to Earth’s atmosphere. The increasing amount of debris can result in damage and has potential long-term implications for spacecraft operation in Earth’s orbit.

Consequences of Space Debris for Satellites

Satellites are integral to modern communication, navigation, and observation. However, they operate in an environment increasingly populated by space debris . A collision with even a small piece of debris can cause critical damage to a satellite’s operational capabilities, leading to a loss of services such as GPS, weather forecasting, and telecommunications. Satellites must often perform collision avoidance maneuvers to mitigate these risks, which can reduce their operational lifespan.

Hazards Posed to Space Missions and Astronauts

For astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and other future space missions, space debris poses a dire hazard. Travelling at speeds over 17,500 mph, even a small fragment can penetrate the protective shielding of spacecraft and habitats. This risk necessitates rigorous monitoring and protective measures to ensure the safety of astronauts and the success of missions.

Reentry Dangers and Protection Measures

Space debris that falls back to Earth, undergoing reentry, can endure extreme heat and mechanical stress. Most debris burns up in the atmosphere, but larger objects may reach the surface, potentially endangering populated areas. Agencies actively track and predict reentry paths, and spacecraft designed for return to Earth are equipped with heat shields to withstand the intense heat generated during reentry, ensuring both vehicle integrity and ground safety.

Mitigation and Management Strategies

Strategies to deal with space debris encompass technological, regulatory, and collaborative efforts to protect the long-term usability of Earth’s orbit.

Debris Avoidance and Protection Techniques

Space agencies routinely execute debris avoidance maneuvers to safeguard operational spacecraft from potential collisions. These maneuvers, carefully planned based on predictions of debris paths, involve slight adjustments in the spacecraft’s orbit. In addition to active avoidance, spacecraft are designed with shielding to withstand impacts from smaller debris, ensuring functionality despite the harsh space environment.

Legal Frameworks and International Cooperation

The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) oversees international efforts to address space debris, fostering cooperation among nations. Through the United Nations , guidelines and best practices have been established, encouraging member states to minimize debris generation. This includes the design of spacecraft and launch vehicles to avoid inadvertent debris release and the passivation of spacecraft at the end of their service life to prevent explosions.

Innovative Solutions for Debris Removal

Removing existing debris is a challenge that has prompted innovative solutions. Proposals for cleanup include various technologies, such as nets, harpoons, and lasers to either capture or alter the trajectory of debris. Some space agencies and private entities are also exploring spacecraft that can rendezvous with and de-orbit large debris items, effectively reducing the possibility of future collisions and the resultant debris proliferation.

Cultural Impact and Public Awareness

The 2008 animated film WALL-E, produced by PIXAR, stands out as a significant cultural touchstone, having sparked widespread conversation about environmental and space sustainability. Its characters, including the titular WALL-E and his companion EVE, bring to life the urgency of addressing space debris, a reality that parallels our vision for the future of Earth’s orbit.

The Significance of WALL-E and Popular Media

WALL-E struck a chord with audiences by personifying the consequences of environmental neglect in the setting of space. The film’s portrayal of an Earth littered with waste and a lone robot’s journey to clean up has elevated public consciousness about the care needed for our planet and its surroundings. Similarly, WALL-E’s encounters with space debris highlight a very real problem that affects satellites and vehicles that humans send into orbit. PIXAR’s storytelling prowess exemplified by this film conveys complex issues through a simple, yet profound narrative that resonates with people of all ages, encouraging them to think critically about our impact on the environment both on Earth and in space.

Educating People on Space Sustainability

Through the lens of EVE and WALL-E’s explorations, audiences are invited to consider the long-term implications of orbital debris on space operations and safety. The fascination with these characters extends beyond entertainment, sparking an interest in real-world space sustainability efforts. Educational initiatives, often inspired by such media representations, play a crucial role in informing the public about the challenges of space debris management and the importance of responsible conduct in space activities. They empower global citizens with knowledge and inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers to continue advancing the vision for a sustainable space environment, bridging the gap between cinematic reality and human responsibility.

The Future Outlook of Earth’s Orbit

The space around our planet, specifically low Earth orbit, faces growing concerns over congestion and debris, which are becoming pertinent issues for agencies like NASA. The following subsections explore the dynamics of space debris, monitoring advancements, and preventative strategies in detail.

Predictions for Low Earth Orbit Dynamics

Low Earth Orbit (LEO) is becoming increasingly trafficked, with satellites and space debris creating a congested environment. NASA, among other space agencies, is collecting data that suggests future LEO scenarios will require enhanced collision avoidance measures. Predictive models are crucial for maintaining safe satellite operations, and the increasing number of miniaturized satellites known as CubeSats poses new challenges in tracking and management.

Advancements in Space Debris Monitoring

Technological evolution has led to significant advancements in space debris monitoring . The implementation of more sophisticated data systems has improved the tracking of objects in low and elliptical orbits. New sensors and algorithms have emerged, providing a clearer vision of the debris landscape. The continuous upgrade of these systems is critical to maintaining the integrity of space assets and ensuring the safety of future space operations.

Preventing Future Accumulation of Debris

To prevent future space debris accumulation, agencies and organizations propose a two-pronged approach:

• Mitigate debris production by following guidelines like the 25-year de-orbit policy and implementing new spacecraft designs that minimize the potential for in-orbit breakups.
• Remove existing debris through proposed missions to capture and de-orbit large defunct objects.

Together, these strategies aim to safeguard the orbital neighborhoods for a sustainable future in space exploration and travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

In this section, the most common inquiries regarding ‘WALL-E,’ space debris, and orbital sustainability are addressed.

How can the depiction of space debris in ‘WALL-E’ influence our understanding of environmental issues?

The animated film ‘WALL-E’ serves as a poignant portrayal of space debris’ effects, emphasizing the need for environmental stewardship not only on Earth but also in outer space. This depiction raises awareness about the concept of Kessler Syndrome , a potential scenario where space around Earth could become too littered with debris to safely navigate, complicating future space endeavors.

What measures are being implemented to control the quantity of space debris?

There are ongoing initiatives to mitigate space debris, such as those aimed at improving satellite design for end-of-life deorbiting, and adherence to international guidelines that require the removal of satellites from valuable orbital regions post-mission. These measures are critical to managing debris and ensuring the long-term usability of Earth’s orbits.

What are the potential consequences for satellite operations due to the increase in orbital debris?

Increasing amounts of orbital debris pose significant risks to satellite operations , as collisions with even small particles can cause substantial damage due to high-velocity impacts. This growing threat necessitates improved tracking of space debris and the development of more robust satellite shields.

How do changes in Earth’s appearance from space, such as the browning of land, inform our study of environmental conditions?

Observations from space, such as the browning of land, can provide valuable data for analyzing changes in Earth’s environmental conditions. These visuals help researchers monitor phenomena like deforestation, desertification, and the health of vegetation on a global scale, deepening our understanding of Earth’s ecosystems.

What technological advancements are being made to mitigate the risks posed by space junk to future space missions?

To mitigate the risks of space junk, new technologies are being developed including robotic arms to remove debris , harpoons, and nets for capturing and maneuvering objects out of critical orbits. Such innovations are essential for ensuring the safety of astronauts and the integrity of satellites.

In what ways are international space agencies collaborating to address the challenges of orbital debris?

International space agencies are collaborating by sharing data on space debris, standardizing satellite disposal practices, and conducting joint operations for debris monitoring and removal. This global cooperation is paramount to effectively managing the risks associated with orbital debris and securing a sustainable environment in space for future generations.

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Ad Astra: Exploring the Psychological Impact of Space Travel and Isolation

Contact: seti’s pioneering quest for alien life, the psychological effects of space travel on tourists: insights into the astronaut experience, the evolution of space tourism: how cosmic travel became attainable, the role of private companies in advancing space exploration initiatives, spaceports around the world: unveiling global launch sites.

Entertainment

'Wall-E' Is 10 — And The Pixar's Movie's Steps For Saving The Planet Are More Vital Than Ever

Animated films often come with tangible life lessons wrapped inside funny, heartwarming stories. Many times these lessons are subtle and require a bit of thematic digging to analyze, but other times, an animated film's message is perfectly clear — such as with Pixar's Wall-E and its theme of environmentalism. As the movie approaches its 10th anniversary on June 27, its earnest plea to save the planet feels even more relevant today than it did a decade ago. And while you deal with recent news of just how intense the effects of climate change have been, re-watch Wall-E to get actual steps for saving the planet . The movie offers a simple message that even small actions can make a big difference.

Arguably Pixar's most politically-driven movie, Wall-E tells the story of a lone service robot who continues to clean up a dry, dusty Earth long after humanity abandoned the overly polluted planet to live among the stars. The near-silent film uses silly slapstick comedy and expert visual storytelling to convey the loneliness of a lovable little robot, and the high-tech model EVE, with whom he falls in love. But while the cute robot love story is the main attraction, Wall-E 's backbone is EVE's important mission: finding out whether or not life can exist on Earth again in order to bring humans back to it.

Together, Wall-E and EVE embark on a fun space adventure much like other epic sci-fi movies out there. But the film's second half, which includes the introduction of humans, actual dialogue, and a more action-heavy mood, is kicked off by Wall-E's discovery of a tiny little green plant, which he keeps potted in a dirty old shoe. This discovery instigates the action, sets EVE on alert, and triggers an entire system of change. It's no coincidence that Wall-E's plant is a wee, two-leafed stem. It's delicate, fragile, and could easily be crushed. The metaphor here isn't that the Earth is fragile, though — it's that our belief in our own abilities may be.

In light of the recent news that Antarctica has lost over three trillion tons of ice in the last couple of decades, as Nature reports, it might seem like climate change is an inevitable and unchangeable fact and that humanity's future on this planet is doomed. It can often feel hopeless to try and parse through the information and understand what exactly people have done to cause the rapid warming of the planet and what you can do now to help.

But thankfully, climate scientists believe that there's still hope ; that humans can still slow the effects of climate change, and that we may not end up in disaster after all. Wall-E feels like it takes place in a reality closer to now than when it first came out, but that doesn't mean that its portrayal of a dusty, desolated Earth is inevitable.

But we all need to act, and Wall-E 's small sprout of green can be our instigator, reminding us that even the tiniest actions can result in big effects. Wall-E the robot doesn't discover an entire forest, or even a field of green plants (at least not until the end). He and EVE have just one little plant, and one little plant is all they need to maintain their determination. So Wall-E 's big message of environmentalism isn't just the grand idea that we need to save the planet, but that no action is too miniscule, and no plant too small. That little steps can lead to big results.

There are a lot of small actions you can take on our own to act on behalf of our environment . Fo one thing, calling representatives is vital to make your concerns heard. You can also attend local events or look into local sustainability. In addition, following websites focuses on environmental news and updates can make a huge differences in your awareness.

It's OK to start small, like Wall-E and EVE, and plant your own garden, or donate to funds that plant trees . Check out alternatives to fossil fuels, or even just start a new recycling program at your office. Wall-E 's message is that even the smallest steps can lead to big change, and if enough people listen to it, we may yet save this planet after all.

Here’s why Silent Running is Wall-E for grown-ups

The two environmental-space movies have a lot in common – but only one of them comes with a truly happy ending.

In the discourse of deciding the best space movies of all time, there are some pretty bizarre concepts and plotlines that make the cut, but the very real topic of manmade climate change has only made its way into a small handful of movies.

If you’re a millennial then the go-to climate change film that likely sticks out in your mind is Pixar’s 2008 masterpiece, Wall-E. For anyone who caught the movie during their formative years, there’s a good chance that it came to frame your understanding of civilization's natural world – after all, it’s one of the only mainstream animated movies to tackle the topic head-on (FernGully notwithstanding).

But 36 years before one of the best animated space movies came to theatres, another movie managed to address many of the same concerns about climate change and looked at how space might become our savior: Silent Running. If you enjoyed Wall-E as a kid, then this is why you should absolutely watch its grown-up movie counterpart. 

Wall-E versus Silent Running

Before we can delve into how the two movies connect, it’s worth having a quick refresher of the themes addressed by Wall-E – it has been 13 years since it came out after all. 

The movie opens up with a vision of planet Earth that has long been abandoned, with humanity having left behind copious amounts of trash before high-tailing it in an intergalactic cruise liner. It’s up to the movie’s titular character to clean up the huge mountains of waste, in a task so gargantuan that it’ll make you think twice about complaining the next time you have to take out the garbage. 

Things get really interesting when the narrative shifts from planet Earth to the depths of space, where humans have been living in a manufactured utopia for 700 years. Mankind has now devolved into a race of recliner-bound citizens, glued to the screens in front of them. 

Wall-E’s depiction of humanity’s obsession with technology and comfort has only grown more potent over time, but this is where some accreditation is due – Silent Running did it first.

Just as with Wall-E, Silent Running positions space as a potential savior against climate change, but instead of shipping humanity off while robots are left to rummage through the mess, it’s the remaining wildlife that’s sent away to be cultivated by small groups of robots and humans alike, under the promise of someday returning to Earth.

The film centres around Freeman Lowell, a botanist living on the Valley Forge, which is just one of several spaceships that are equipped with multiple greenhouse structures containing plants, produce, wildlife and more. It all seems rather idyllic until you start to understand why these ships exist in the first place. See, in the world of Silent Running, it’s implied that after continued deforestation at the hands of corporate greed, society has found a way to live comfortably without nature, leading to a general sense of apathy. No-one, except Lowell, cares that the natural world is gone.

The film also implies that the Valley Forge and its endeavor has been funded by corporations as nothing more than a publicity stunt to curb their part in nature’s downfall. You only need to spot the branded food supplies aboard the ship to see these hidden messages. The idea that apathy - along with corporate greed - has led to irreversible climate change feels frustratingly true to life. And a lot darker than the message that we get from Wall-E.

Optimism versus cynicism

Being a kids movie, Wall-E is a lot more optimistic in the end about humanity’s (post) post-apocalyptic future. Captain B. McCrea of the Axiom spaceship is found to be overjoyed about the prospect of returning to Earth – once he latches on to the idea of life outside of the Axiom’s walls, he’s eager to know more about the world. That sense of optimism is nowhere to be found in Silent Running.

The film’s most famous scene features an impassioned plea from Lowell as he tries to explain to his fellow crewmates his preference for eating fresh fruit and the importance of nature itself: “It calls back a time when there were flowers all over the Earth. And there were valleys. And there were plains of tall, green grass that you could lie down in... that you could go to sleep in.”

It's all very melodramatic but understandable given the situation that Lowell finds himself in. The real kicker however is the final response from John Wolf, the only vaguely sympathetic crewmate on the Valley Forge: “The fact is, Lowell, if people were interested, something would have been done a long time ago.”

While the humans of Wall-E come to embrace nature once again, things go in the completely opposite direction throughout Silent Running’s story as the decision is made to terminate the reforestation project and destroy the remaining wildlife domes before returning to Earth.

The news is even cause for celebration amongst Lowell’s crew members – with the feeling that these forests are nothing more than a nuisance keeping them from the comforts of home. In the end, Lowell makes the decision to send the last remaining dome into space, shortly before destroying the Valley Forge and preventing his corporate overlords from locating the last forest. It’s a bleak picture, one that leaves a far more urgent tone for action amongst the viewers than Wall-E could ever hope to deliver.

If Wall-E serves as a great way of teaching children about climate change, then Silent Running is definitely the stark wake up call to show adults just how dire the situation can be – let’s just hope that it remains science fiction.

Is space the key to climate change? 

Silent Running might not be as entertaining as Wall-E – although there is some merit to Bruce Dern’s brilliantly executed pratfalls – but it works as a companion piece to better understand the themes raised by Pixar’s animated flick as an adult.

In fact, both movies segue perfectly into learning more about the role that space and space organizations can have in the fight against climate change. The dominance of CO2 in Mars’ atmosphere could be used to better understand how to suppress the presence of CO2 in our own atmosphere , for instance. NASA also keeps a log of how its space-bound innovation has helped other industries around the world, including how techniques for insulating spacesuits have been adapted by construction companies .

Even though Wall-E and Silent Running indulge in the fantasies of science-fiction, they do a fantastic job of encouraging public discussion about the very real repercussions of climate change, not to mention the overlap that exists between this topic and space travel – even if intergalactic cruise liners are still a long way off.

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With a background in film and tech journalism, Tom has written for a variety of publications including Trusted Reviews, NME, Recombu and IN Covent Garden Magazine. Prior to his professional career, he graduated with a Distinction in MA History from University College London, specializing in the topic of film history.

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Space Film Junkie: Orbital Debris in Wall-E, Gravity, and Space Sweepers

Space film junkie: orbital debris in wall-e , gravity , and space sweepers, liza fust, communications coordinator.

5 minute read

Coming soon to home movie nights near you — space debris in your living room! Not really, there are only a few noted instances of space debris actually surviving the return trip through the atmosphere and hitting a house or human (that said, it’s just another one of those things you’re never quite safe from, ask Lottie ). You might be wondering more about this ‘orbital debris’ KMI keeps yammering on about, but also maybe it’s late and you don’t feel like doing research right then. Enter: Wall-E , Gravity , and Space Sweepers , all movies with depictions of space debris. “Well, there you go,” you might say to yourself, “three options for me and the kids to be entertained and learn about this junk KMI keeps talking about.” Well, we prefer the term ‘debris.’ “Fine,” you might reply, “anyway, how factual are these movies about space junk - er, debris - anyway?” Have no fear! Your neighborhood KMI film junkies are here! Read on to see what Wall-E , Gravity , and Space Sweepers got right, got wrong, and predicted about orbital debris. 

Wall-E (2008)

The inaccuracy I would like to address first is Sputnik (which can be seen stuck to Wall-E’s face after passing through the debris ring and assuming it is actually Sputnik-1 and not any of the 40 other Sputniks that launched after it) - anyway Sputnik-1 would not have been in orbit still because it deorbited in 1958. The film Wall-E represents debris as flotsam around Earth, just sort of chilling there. Real debris is not so chill, but careens around Earth. It is this speed that makes debris so dangerous, arming the smallest object with enough force to damage or demolish whatever it collides with. If the debris in Wall-E were accurately moving in orbits, and considering the amount of debris shown, a veritable sand storm of destructive debris would shred Wall-E’s ship (and our favorite little robot) into as much sand-sized debris. Thank goodness for bending the laws of reality to benefit films because I would not want to see that in theaters. 

In Wall-E , Earth has become a wasteland filled with the garbage remnants of rampant consumerism that grew to the point of choking out life on the planet. As Wall-E leaves Earth, we see the same situation in space: debris choking out the sustainable use of Earth’s orbits. That’s called Kessler Syndrome, as more objects are in orbit and those objects collide a cascade of collisions ensues, potentially cutting off any use of orbit. In 2008 when Wall-E was released, there were 11,821 objects in orbit. Today, there are over 33,500. Wall-E is set over 700 years in the future, but already the cascade of collisions that could block out humanity’s use of space has begun and it won’t take several hundred years to make space unusable.

If this much debris was left in orbit for 700 years without humans adding any more, the physics work out to create a neat ring of debris, rather than a cloud. But we don’t want to wait 700 years because what are we going to do in the interim?

Gravity (2013)

In Gravity , Sandra Bullock and George Clooney are on a routine space walk from their shuttle to service the Hubble Space Telescope when Russia blows up a defunct satellite, causing a massive cloud of debris which separates them from their craft. Hm. Far fetched? Nah.

A 2021 spacewalk for two astronauts on the ISS was canceled due to a close encounter with debris generated after Russia conducted an anti-satellite (ASAT) test. 

In Gravity their space walk was already in progress at the time of the ASAT test and thankfully in real life there was enough advance warning to postpone the space walk. Now there are processes for Debris Avoidance Maneuvers (DAM) for shuttles and the ISS. What Gravity highlights is that debris generation can be spontaneous whether through uncommunicated ASAT tests, rapid unexpected disassembly, or collisions. It also highlights that some international cooperation and codes of behavior would be a good idea. 

Something that Gravity seemingly got right was the representation of debris collision speed. The gut-wrenching fear that grips the audience as debris comes hurtling through the astronauts’ immediate surroundings is an appropriate level of terror to inspire. However, the speeds at which those objects are traveling in the movie are actually something like 70 times slower than the actual average speed of real-life orbital debris objects, which travel at 17,000 mph. So in its own movie-ified way, Gravity did a swell job of presenting the terrifying reality of debris.

The Gravity storyline counts down to when the debris completes its orbit and continues to cause mass destruction. That’s pretty accurate for the debris in orbit now. Unless some awesome team were out there to catch that debris, keeping space clear for all… (commercial break over).

Space Sweepers (2021)

Space Sweepers is a film that follows a team of, well, space sweepers, who collect orbital debris and sell it to the Company which has created an orbital home as a refuge for the elite while most everyone else is stuck on an increasingly uninhabitable Earth. In the course of collecting debris the space sweepers catch a car and find a child inside. That’s all I’ll say about that, just go watch the movie. Instead let’s talk about selling debris. In summation, it’s not a thing. Yet. We keep talking about needing to collect debris, and that there is a budding industry for In-Space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing (ISAM) (AKA recycling centers in space). But here’s the thing - someone still owns those debris pieces. Some operators launched it from some country, at some time. It may be junk but it’s their junk. Instead, those countries and operators can hire space sweepers, I mean orbital debris removal companies, to track and collect specific debris pieces. And then, at their directive, deorbit it so the debris burns up on reentry in the atmosphere or deliver it to an ISAM facility. Space Sweepers just had it a little backwards. But then, by the time Earth is uninhabitable and the elite create their own orbital sanctuary, maybe things will have changed.

Okay, now are you ready for your next movie night? I recommend some cosmic brownies or star crunch as a thematic snack. Here at KMI, the team sometimes likes to sit down together and watch a team movie screening. We live in a time where the fiction we grew up with in Star Trek and the history we learned from Apollo 13 are coming together. Hopefully we don’t have a Space Sweeper s future - I’m not an elite and I like my nice habitable town which just so happens to be located on Earth. Watching movies, fiction or not, can help us look to the future and all of the ‘what if?’s we wonder about when we ask ‘so what comes next?’ For KMI, what comes next is taking action to protect the space environment so Earthlings, astronauts, the Earth, robots, etc. can all stay safe. Also, more movie nights.

Recommended column to read next: What Can We Do with Orbital Debris?

Entertainment

‘Wall-E’ Is The Best Disney Movie Warning Us About Billionaires And Space Travel

Elon Musk makes much more sense now

When Wall-E came out 10 years ago, it was met with some of the best reviews in Pixar history. The Los Angeles Times called it “daring and traditional, groundbreaking and familiar, apocalyptic and sentimental.”  Rolling Stone referred to it as an “enduring classic,” while Time Out  described it as “wonderfully imagined” and “lovingly presented.” And I agree: The film is an example of the Disney animation studio at its most creative. But, even if everyone could agree that the film was visually stunning, not everyone loved the eco-conscious message it doled out (cough, right-wing conservatives, cough). 

The film follows a robot, the eponymous Wall-E, who has been stranded on Earth, eternally cleaning up all the garbage left behind by the humans who had to abandon their planet because they'd ruined it. The year is 2700, every remaining human lives in space, and they travel, sleep, and exist on hoverboards and are told what to do by a conglomerate called Buy ’N’ Large. And while the movie was promoted as being a love story between two robots, the narrative also offers an unflinching look at the downside of consumerism, the risks of apathy toward our environment, and humanity's inclination toward sloth.

And yet, Wall-E wasn’t intended as a political statement, according to its director Andrew Stanton. In fact, it was described as a “parable for environmentalists” so often that he felt the need to disavow the label. “I don’t have a political bent or ecological message to push,” Stanton said in 2008 . “I don't mind that it supports that kind of view—it’s certainly a good-citizen kind of way to be—but everything I wanted to do was based on the film’s love story, the last robot on Earth, the sentence that we first came up with in 1994.” 

This isn't hard to believe, though, not least because it would take an overwhelming level of disingenuousness for Pixar/Disney to promote an anti-consumerist message when they would proceed to capitalize like crazy off Wall-E merchandise. As writer Shannen W. Coffin wrote (sarcastically) about the movie: It’s “nice to see that Disney and Pixar can make mega-millions off of telling us just how greedy, lazy, and destructive we all are.” And, yes, the messenger is ironic, but the message is still an important one: We as a society can be greedy and lazy and destructive. We’re the biggest contributors to climate change , we’re victims of consumerism, and we rely on technology more than we should.

There is, though, another criticism of the film , which is that it's prejudiced against fat people, and it is true that all the humans we see in the film are overweight, and that fact is implicitly connected to their other traits of laziness and apathy. It's an unfortunate visual shorthand for the very real problems that do face people who live their lives in front of screens, and it's not great, but it does speak to real problems that can result in technology-caused stagnation.

But what Wall-E really serves to remind us of is that the scariest depictions of dystopian societies aren’t necessarily the ones that paint the future as being full of handmaids or kids forced to fight to the death for the entertainment of the elite. Sometimes the scariest versions of our futures are the ones that we already see glimpses of in our present reality. Though Wall-E was released 10 years ago, our society’s need to consume and corporations' relentless drive for profit have only increased. Is it any coincidence that so many billionaires, aware of how they've contributed to our planet's decline, are focused on space travel? Now is the time to rewatch Wall-E and appreciate the love story, but pay close attention to the message about greed and apathy, and figure out a way to prevent this future from becoming our present.

Explore space with Disney/Pixar’s WALL-E (and Friends)

To mark the European launch of WALL-E, Disney/Pixar's exciting smash hit movie, ESA is launching a new website which highlights the multitude of educational resources and fun activities that are available on the Agency's Internet pages.

In the blockbuster movie, a lonely little robot named WALL-E develops a deep curiosity that eventually inspires it to set off on a fantastic voyage across the galaxy in search of a probe-droid called EVE.

As is often the case, science fiction is some years ahead of science fact. Although ESA is currently developing “semi-intelligent” robots that can explore other planets and assist astronauts in space, relatively few Europeans have so far been lucky enough to leave planet Earth.

Fortunately, there are much easier ways for people - young and old - to follow in WALL-E's footsteps. In order to explore space from the comfort of your own home or classroom, all you have to do is log onto the WALL-E portal to enter a world of fascinating facts, animations, pop-ups, educational DVDs, DIY experiments, games, competitions and puzzles.

“As an extension to its existing outreach activities, ESA has developed this website in collaboration with Disney/Pixar,” said Francesco Emma, Head of ESA's Education Office. “We see this as an exciting new way to introduce young people to the wonders of space exploration.”

On the WALL-E web site, the robotic characters are on hand as guides to ESA missions and educational material that can be linked to the movie. The content is organised under 4 themes: Our Place in the Universe, Caring for the Earth, Life in Space, and Exploration and Robotics.

Each of these themes can be used to find educational information that will be of value for teachers, learn about the Universe, our planet, Astronauts and Robots and link to the ESA Kids website, where you can find material that will inspire and entertain everyone who is young at heart.

Our Place in the Universe

Through ESA’s WALL-E web site you can find out about the wonders of the Universe, as well as exciting missions such as SOHO, which stares continuously at the Sun, and the Huygens probe which made an historic landing on Saturn’s giant moon, Titan.

Caring for the Earth

By clicking on the Media Gallery you can admire images of the beautiful blue Earth and learn about remote sensing from space. The site also helps you to find out about ESA’s satellites, including Envisat, the largest Earth observation satellite ever launched, the Earth Explorer missions and the Meteosats which monitor our changing weather.

Life in Space

The WALL-E portal provides links to the ISS Education Kit for primary (8-10 year-olds) and secondary schools (12-14 year-olds) and various web lessons on line. You can also learn how to survive in space, and find out about ESA’s Columbus laboratory and the Automated Transfer Vehicle which is now delivering tonnes of supplies to the ISS.

Exploration and Robotics

Like WALL-E, humans have always been driven by curiosity to discover more about our world and the Universe that surrounds us. Today, the exploration of space remains one of the most stimulating and exciting areas of scientific research. Visit the WALL-E portal to find out about ESA’s Aurora programme of Solar System exploration, the Lunar Robotic Challenge, the ExoMars rover and the search for life on other planets.

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July 17, 2023

Is Wall-E Predicting Our Future?

When thinking of space exploration one of the biggest concerns people have with space exploration is how sustainable it really is, and if it causes more harm to our planet than benefits. Many people think of the movie Wall-E when thinking about the sustainability of space exploration. And even though Wall-E is an adorable robot romance, it still holds a dark tale that has often been associated with our potential future. Although space exploration does cause sustainability concerns, NASA is constantly trying to come up with new solutions. Some problems associated with space exploration include increased carbon dioxide emissions, global warming and hydrochloric acid production. 

Carbon Dioxide

Carbon dioxide increases with launches due to the amount of kerosene that specific kerosene fueled rockets contain. Some specific rockets such as the Spacex’ Falcons and NASA’s Saturn V rocket contain a refined version of kerosene which is a type of fuel used in households and as a fuel for aircraft.  Spacex’ Falcon rockets carry about 440 tons of it which is equivalent to approximately 163 elephants. When this gas is released it increases the amount of Carbon Dioxide in the atmosphere. Space exploration also contributes to global warming in that aspect of the launches of rockets. The boosters on the rockets contain aluminum powder and ammonium perchlorate which when combined creates aluminum oxide which used to be believed to cool down the Earth, however recent studies have shown that it actually contributes to global warming by absorbing outgoing long-wave radiation. So long story short the chemicals in the boosters heat up the earth by acting as a sponge to long-wave radiation. 

Hydrochloric acid

The high production of hydrochloric acid also becomes concerning when it comes to sustainability. Hydrochloric acid is produced from the perchlorate oxidizers which are used for the combustion in the rockets. When this hydrochloric acid falls into water and other plants, the water becomes too acidic for fish and wildlife, and the plants also become reduced. The acid is so strong that it will literally burn the plant and its roots. Even a drop of the acid on the plants can cause that one affected area to burn. When putting this into perspective, when a rocket launches and drops this acid on the plants and waters surrounding the launch area, it can obviously have very bad effects on the ecosystem around the launch pad. 

Innovative solutions:

NASA is luckily very innovative and is constantly trying to find new ways to become sustainable. They are currently replacing light- duty vehicles with low greenhouse gas emitting ones. NASA is also using more sustainable energy solutions such as solar power and wind power in order to lower the amount of electric pollution they use. They are also currently monitoring the planet using 14 different satellites, 7 different missions and over 17000 research grants all targeted to monitoring the planet's climate and prediction of global warming. They are also working on using carbon-neutral fuel in all aircraft to make them more eco-friendly and sustainable. NASA is also working on the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals and is working with other partners in order to help these goals develop further helping the planet. So although many people believe space travel harms our planet, NASA is on top of it to make sure WALLE stays a fictional movie, and not our future.

About the author

Yuri is 17 years old and from the small border town of Nogales Arizona. Since a very young age, she has been intrigued by space exploration and astronomy. Her dream is to work in the Space Industry.

Yuridia Sanchez

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