The spaceship "Goliath", operated by Cybertron Electronics, is assigned a mission to test research probes in the Cassini Division, a gap within the rings of Saturn.

Throughout the journey, suspicions emerge among the crew: Second Pilot Harry Brown claims he is human, expressing doubts about Electronics Officer Jan Otis; Neurologist Tom Novak confides that he is an android but seeks to prove his unique worth; and Engineer Kurt Weber offers clues about First Pilot Calder, who remains secretive.

Upon arriving at the Cassini Division, Calder attempts a perilous maneuver to manually launch the probe, bypassing Pirx's orders and intending to expose the human crew to deadly g-forces.

This revelation leads the UN to ban further production of the nonlinears, though Pirx remains wary, suspecting that androids like Novak might continue blending seamlessly into human society.

[6] Inquest of Pilot Pirx was awarded the "Golden Asteroid" Big Prize at the International Cinema Festival at Trieste 1979.