Why do I picture a mass brawl? :-)
Because that is exactly what happened. Either you have read the book or have the experience or foresight to know what happens when you throw together a bunch of “experts”. E. E. “Doc” Smith, in the Lemsmen series (also SF) portrayed a similar scene when scientific experts were commisioned to solve a particular problem. “Prima donnas they can be” - Master Yoda
I’m getting the feeling that the experts on the Beagle new more real facts than the brains today who take dollars from politicians to say what they are paid to say.