Sound cannot propagate in outer space, as there is no medium, such as air or water, to carry the waves. Stanley Kubrick used silence in 2001 to convey the immensity of space. The makers of 2010 paid attention to accurately depicting zero gravity, but were apparently ignorant of the laws of physics regarding sound when they included the roar of rocket engines and explosions and even the rustling of fabric in deep space.

In 2001, Doctor Heywood Floyd had a daughter of about 4. In 2010, she has disappeared and instead Floyd has a son of about 10.