An Astrophysicist reacts to THE EXPANSE

I love how her expectations are so low for sci-fi that it didn't even occur to her at first that their gravity was generated by thrust. Like, when you aren't even mentally prepared to give the show that much credit.

I'm no scientist, but as an engineer I can confirm that "kicking it" could be a valid method to repair certain broken equipment.

The Expanse is the only show I can think of that uses physics to drive the story rather than just inspire it. That changes a lot of things and IMO makes it very unique and enjoyable.

Artificial gravity in The Expanse is generated by thrust. The decks are laid out vertically, not horizontally like in most sci-fi shows. Think of it like an elevator, you experience more weight while going up, and feel less when going down. It's the same as in the Expanse, if the engines are turned off, you essentially are at zero-g. EDIT: Well guess I should of waited till the end, you literally explained it word for word as I did lol. <3

You really have to watch 4 or 5 episodes before it really gets going. Then you wind up binge watching all 5 seasons

I worked in the propulsion plant of the USS Nimitz. I can report that external mechanical agitation (usually with a large wrench) is an entirely acceptable method of troubleshooting.

One little detail I always loved: The PDC's have a micro-rocket on the back of them that fires whenever the PDC fires. It's easily viewable in any close-up rear shot of a PDC firing. They do this to counter-act the momentum the PDC would generate by firing forwards. Rocket booster fires in the opposite direction as the PDC fires forward to even out the inertia. Very small detail but VERY cool.

As a physics major, this show and few others feel heavy, in the sense that there is actual effort behind it, actual human effort and time spent behind the details. It's much more like a work of art to be appreciated time and again than most shows in the genre.

Thrust gravity - the ships that don’t spin have gravity under thrust as the ships floors are perpendicular to the direction of thrust. When the engines stop, the “gravity” stops.

It’s hilarious how many engineers are in here advocating kicking as a valid method of troubleshoot

most mindbuggling scene for me was as someone dies slowly in zero gravity and begins to cry, the tears cant flow and start to "drown" the eyes

The Expanse is quite simply one of the best Sci Fi series ever made, full stop. The production values, the attention to detail, the quality cast and the story itself are all epic and anyone who hasn’t watched it should do themselves a huge favour and binge it to death. My only gripe is that there are only 6 seasons!

"You can't just kick it!" Spoken like a physicist. No mechanic, engineer or trades person ever born has an issue with this. Shows the difference in experiences

Edit: saw that you addressed this after the episode No artificial gravity, just acceleration g's, and ships built like a skyscraper with an engine on the ground floor (decks perpendicular to the direction of thrust), that's why the ships flip halfway through their trip, their engines fire the whole time, and the acceleration simulates gravity (usually 1/3g so that they conserve reaction mass and so belters are comfortable). Since they are accelerating for half the trip, they spend the second half decelerating, but the people inside the ship feel the same way, since the ship is flipped around

Also it's an overlooked detail but the asteroids people live in are spun so when you see the belters walking around below their feet is space and above their heads is the core of the asteroid. Docks are therefore on the poles where the spin is zero

The Expanse has been by FAR my favorite Scify show of the last 10 years hands down. I LOVE the fact that it is based on our current scientific understandings. It leaves us really wanting more, and the story was just so deep..man I miss it. I love how all of the ships are built vertically, not horizontally like we have been used to for so many years.

I love how they accelerate at 1/3 g halfway to their destination, then cut engines, flip the ship 180 degrees, and decelerate at 1/3 g for the second half of the trip. (Edited)

I'm not an astrophysicist, but I am an enthusiast. My wife didn't understand when I was pausing and rewinding and saying "oh my God, they got it right". Over and over again.

My favorite “unnecessary” little detail that they got right is that in Season 2 (I think) there’s a scene with someone who is badly injured in 0g and they start crying, and the show spent the special effects money to show how all the tears just pool around their eyes. You have to look closely to see it; but the attention to detail is up to that level.

i still remember when i realized how gravity on ships work in the expanse. i've never read anything about it, i just watched the show, so it took a while until i really understood. it's so logical and "easy" and yet every other sci-fi movie/series conditioned me to imagine spaceships to be designed in a different way. tbf though it is only possible because of the epstein drive's unimaginable efficiency. fantastic show, i'm whatching it right now, again. already in the 5th season.