“Project Hail Mary”
Last year, Amazon MGM Studios approached Space for Humanity with an opportunity to collaborate around the release of their 2026 film, "Project Hail Mary." The story follows Ryland Grace, a middle school teacher — just an ordinary person unexpectedly called upon to undertake an extraordinary mission in space to save all humanity. It’s a premise that resonates deeply with our belief that space is not reserved for a select few, but is a realm where everyday individuals can play transformative roles.
That shared vision led to a special advance screening, co-hosted with Amazon Public Policy at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. The evening was set to feature a live Q&A moderated by Citizen Astronaut Katya Echazarreta and Citizen Astronaut Ambassador Amanda Nguyen, in conversation with Andy Weir, author of the bestselling novel, and Drew Goddard, the screenwriter behind the film adaptation. But, as it turned out, the off-screen story took an unexpected turn of its own.
Amanda Nguyen interviews author Andy Weir (“The Martian,” “Project Hail Mary”).
S4H’s Executive Director Antonio Peronace and S4H’s Director of Communications Brandon Fibbs pose with author Andy Weir.
Andy and the astronauts (Amanda Nguyen, Dr. Sian “Leo” Proctor, and Sirisha Bandla)!
On March 16, meteorologists warned that a series of tornadoes could impact the Washington, D.C. area. While rare, tornadoes are not unheard of in the Mid-Atlantic — at least ten have been recorded in the District since 1950. In response, government buildings across the city, including the Smithsonian, shut down. Travel plans quickly unraveled. Drew Goddard’s flight was diverted to New York City, and Katya Echazarreta’s flight was canceled altogether. Rather than cancel the event, the team quickly adapted. Amanda Nguyen sat down with Andy Weir at Amazon HQ for a recorded conversation, diving into the science, storytelling, and deeply human themes that define "Project Hail Mary."
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, Smithsonian Air and Space Museum Director Christopher Browne, and Ashleigh de la Torre, Amazon's VP of Public Policy.
Television science communicator Bill Nye, Ashleigh de la Torre, Amazon's VP of Public Policy, and Brandon Fibbs, S4H’s Director of Communications at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum.
Senator and retired NASA astronaut Mark Kelly with former NASA Administrator Charlie Bolton.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman introduces the film.
Two nights later, March 18, the event went forward. Thousands of invited guests — including sitting U.S. senators and representatives, NASA leadership, and leaders from across the science and aerospace communities — gathered at the Smithsonian for the screening, which was introduced by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman.
Team S4H at the “Project Hail Mary” New York premiere.
Retired NASA astronaut LeLand Melvin, S4H Founder Dylan Taylor, Citizen Astronaut Ambassador Ed Dwight, and S4H’s Executive Director Antonio Peronace.
Astronaut Amanda Nguyen on the Red Carpet.
Astronaut Sian Proctor and Antonio Peronace, S4H’s Executive Director.
Meanwhile, that same evening in New York City, another chapter of the story was unfolding. Space for Humanity Founder and Board Chairman Dylan Taylor, Board Co-Vice Chairman Amaresh Kollipara, Board Member Yemi Dele Akinyemi, Executive Director Antonio Peronace, and astronauts Sara Sabry, Amanda Nguyen, and Ed Dwight attended the film’s U.S. premiere at Lincoln Center. Dylan, Amanda, and Ed, joined by special guests Dr. Sian “Leo” Proctor and Leland Melvin, walked the red carpet alongside the film’s stars and were later recognized in the theater by directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller before the screening began, a meaningful acknowledgment of the real-world explorers helping to expand humanity’s presence in space.
Citizen Astronaut Ambassador Ed Dwight and retired NASA astronaut LeLand Melvin participate in “The Afronaut LAUNCH & Learn” event.
The collaboration extended beyond the screen. Earlier in the week, Space for Humanity co-hosted “The Afronaut LAUNCH & Learn” with Amazon MGM Studios, an afternoon dedicated to innovation, representation, and the future of STEM. Retired NASA astronaut Leland Melvin joined Citizen Astronaut Ambassador Ed Dwight, who overcame extraordinary barriers as the first Black NASA astronaut candidate and went on to become the oldest person ever to travel to space at age 90, for a candid and inspiring conversation. Together, they reflected on exploration, perseverance in the face of discrimination, and the importance of expanding access and opportunity for underrepresented communities in science and technology.
Taken together, these moments represented more than a partnership around a film release. They underscored a shared belief in the power of storytelling to inspire action. "Project Hail Mary" reminds us that extraordinary responsibility can fall to ordinary people, and that the future of space — and of humanity — is shaped not just by technology, but by courage, compassion, and the willingness to step forward when it matters most.
Oh, and take it from us, you are going to LOVE this film! See it on the largest screen you can find!
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