We found out in the movie that Cybertronian lifeforms are highly susceptible to extreme temperatures, from the ice cold to extreme heat.

 

We also found out that cybertronians travel through space, with the help of meteor(ite)-like alternate modes.

 

I take it it is common knowledge that space isn't known for its temperate climate. Temperatures can go from near absolute zero to 10,000 K (gaseous nebula). Atmospheric entry itself is no picknick either.

 

Can these apparently conflicting facts be brought together?

 

I pose the theory that Protoform altmodes are used for interplanetary travel. A Protoform alt-mode shields the robot inside from any sort of temperature changes. This also means that Transformers do not turn into robots in outer space, for if they do, they would immidiately be susceptible to the extreme temperatures there, and go to stasis lock/die.

 

Does this make sense? Or do you have another, perhaps better explanation?

 

Of course, this is all fan speculation, trying to make sense of the Movie from a semi-scientific point of view, completely disregarding the fact that it's about freakin' giant fighting robots, and nothing more. :P

Well if you take the movie prequel novel as canon, they do transform into robot mode in space, but not during entering a planet's atmosphere.

I guess that would work.

Right. The protoforms are only necessary for planet fall. Their sole job is to protect the robot form from the extreme heat of atmospheric entry.

The heat generated from atmospheric entry is only due to the friction generated by freefall through the atmosphere. If you have the ability to generate enough thrust to counter gravity, you can basically float to the surface w/o the need for heat protection. If you had that ability in your alt mode, why give it up for a proto-turd form? Megs didn't have a protoform mode, did he?

If you watch when the Autobots come to Earth, you'll notice extra bits of armor and metal that burns and pops off of them. I think they use extra armor for space travel and then dumb it off when they reach a planet, so that they can better disguise themselves on said planet. Think of it like they are wearing suits of armor over their more sensitive structures to make them bulky and larger for space travel. To fight both the heat and cold of space. To me this makes perfect sense.

If you watch when the Autobots come to Earth, you'll notice extra bits of armor and metal that burns and pops off of them. I think they use extra armor for space travel and then dumb it off when they reach a planet, so that they can better disguise themselves on said planet. Think of it like they are wearing suits of armor over their more sensitive structures to make them bulky and larger for space travel. To fight both the heat and cold of space. To me this makes perfect sense.

 

Beat me to it DM.

 

My thoughts exactly. And it makes the most sense. And this way, we can include the prequel novel as official canon making it possible for them to be in robot mode in space and the protoform mode only used for interplanetary travel (

but that makes me wonder about Screamer going off at the end of the movie

)

Was Megs a protoform when arriving to Earth?

Probably not, as he had bigass rockets to propel him safely to earth...

there is the movie guide that just came out that expains everything.