The Orion Loop

The film opens with a short interview where a group of consultants debates the problem of making first contact with alien civilizations. They consider ethical, political, and practical implications. This framing sets the thematic backdrop for the mission that follows.

Powerful radiation erupts at the boundary of the Solar System, driving the astronauts to the brink of madness. They realize the Orion Loop is a dangerous phenomenon associated with this radiation. The crew begins to experience cognitive strain as they approach the destination.

Earth launches the Soviet ship Phaeton with a mixed crew and their android doubles, designed by Skryabin. The objective is to study the Orion Loop and its effects on humans. The ship departs to reach the far boundary for investigation.

During the voyage, the crew is complemented by cybernetic doubles to withstand extreme conditions and to prevent outsiders from distracting the crew. These cybers perform parallel tasks and can act as the crew's other selves. The human crew relies on their android counterparts for safety and efficiency.

At their destination, the crew encounters holograms—envoys of an ancient alien civilization that lived thousands of years ago on the tenth planet. The holograms communicate complex messages about their history and science. They reveal a willingness to engage with humanity, setting the stage for further discussion.

The aliens explain a galactic virus called RZ and propose sending relic neutrinos from their planet to create an energy barrier around Earth, a structure known as the Orion Loop. This shield would protect humanity from disease and viruses. The crew must decide whether to accept their help and the risks involved.

Communication with the holograms is perilous because their radiation directly affects human brains. The crew experiences mental strain and disorientation during exchanges. The risk forces the crew to find safer ways to interact.

As contact intensifies, two cybers are lost due to the exposure. The loss highlights the fragility of prosthetic minds under alien radiation. The crew must cope with the void left by the doubles.

Navigator Augustus travels into outer space to reconfigure the ship's protection against the radiation. He sustains extensive brain damage in the process. His ordeal demonstrates the limits and dangers of external troubleshooting.

Doctor Masha uses psychocontact technology to heal Augustus, developed with her mother Anna Petrovna. Anna dies during the experiments, underscoring the personal costs of trying to communicate with aliens. The healing marks a turning point in the crew's approach to alien contact.

The cybernetician misinterprets the aliens' intentions as hostile and tries to destroy the Orion Loop. He attempts to reboot the ship's computer to alter the mission, causing a short circuit. He dies in the process, damaging the ship's circuitry and the robot-doctor.

The commander decides to venture into outer space and pass through the center of the Orion Loop to demonstrate its harmlessness for people. His wound heals completely afterward, leaving no trace of injury. The risky move is meant to reassure the crew and the envoys.

A meteor shower damages the engineer Mitya's bay. His robot-twin nearly triggers a depressurization by trying to open the airtight door. Mitya deactivates the robot just seconds before catastrophe.

The envoys find a way to communicate safely with the crew, saying they come in peace. The ship prepares to receive aliens and to potentially establish full contact with Earth. The message marks a hopeful turning point in the mission.

Having established a rapport, the crew returns to Earth to prepare for the next phase of contact with the alien civilization. They aim to coordinate further steps and to introduce humanity to the idea of the Orion Loop's protective potential.