Helena mentioned she wouldnt leave the ship until she was 40 (I think her age was 20) near the beginning, but I don't recall anyone saying how long "her parents" were "on board" before giving birth. So if we say 5-10 years, that would mean 45-50 years on a spaceship, meaning people would have to give birth in space for the colony onto Celeste to work.

So they were simulating a person growing up from birth in a confined space and the effects of that e.g no sun. I don't think they'd be volunteers for that...what kind of parents would essentially imprison their child?

Thanks for responding. The engineer told her that none of the people imprisoned would leave that capsule alive. Excuses would be found until they died a natural death. Why? I think they were clones and as such had no human rights - lovely concept! (said ironically) Her parents were the scientists who created that clone. They were never on the ship because the ship didn't exist. And why would they be alone - that would drive a person insane anyway. If you are going to simulate a situation whereby a ship is going to become generational then you need people of both genders and the whole shebang of medical care - occupations - all the trappings of life. One person doesn't a simulation make. And even if they did reach Celeste how is it going to save 8 billion people? What would happen is that it would become a paradise planet for the super rich and the 8 billion would starve to death - that's real life.

My pleasure to respond :) I'll be honest, I was quite tired when I saw this so I didn't catch the bit in which the Dr said none of the clones would leave the capsule alive. So it may be that I missed more crucial information but I believe the point of Celeste was providing another planet for humanity to survive, not save 8 billion people. I do remember two lesbians saying that couldn't go to Celeste because they didn't meet the reproductive criteria.

In any case, you are right that whatever the reason the whole simulation with 1 clone was pretty flimsy. Like I previously mentioned, maybe it was just to see how humans cope from birth (and to death) in isolation. But like you said, it would make no sense for them to be travelling alone.

"Ascension" was crap but seems like it may have actually made more sense.