On January 3, 2004, a tiny rover named Spirit crash-landed on the dusty surface of Mars and sent its first message home. The elation of the assembled scientists, as well as the behind-the-scenes engineering story leading up to the landing were captured by NOVA in its hugely popular documentary MARS Dead or Alive. That elation is the starting point for the highly anticipated sequel, Welcome to Mars, which follows the adventures of Spirit and Opportunity on the red planet. Once again, NOVA’s producers enjoyed unprecedented access to the mission scientists at JPL as they wrestled with the technical crises that soon beset the rovers. Welcome to Mars presents a compelling inside story of triumph and technical ingenuity, full of scientfic and human drama, with stunning fresh images from an alien world.
Countries: US
-
A Science Odyssey
Join host Charles Osgood in this extraordinary chronicle of 20th-century scientific adventures. Viewers journey through 100 years of discovery, combining historical footage, interviews and animation. “Matters of Life and Death” includes the key topics of fighting disease, penicillin, insulin, surgery and organ transplants. (9:20 hrs. on 5 discs)
-
Saving the National Treasures – DVD
Every year, more than a million people visit the Rotunda at the National Archives in Washington to view the three most tangible symbols of democracy: the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The parchments, faded from two centuries of wear, seem safe behind their green-tinted, bullet-proof glass. But the Archives’ curators, looking more closely, have detected flaking ink and other worrisome signs of decay. To head off the danger, the Archives has embarked on a five-year project to design and build new encasements for the charters — and a new Rotunda in which to view them. Special DVD features include: materials and activities for educators; a link to the NOVA Web site; closed captions; and video descriptions.
-
Life and Death in the War Zone
NOVA follows the Army’s 10th Combat Support Hospital medical unit prior to (at their headquarters in Fort Carlson, Colorado), and following, the unit’s deployment to the Gulf region. Special DVD features include: a link to the NOVA web site; closed captions; and video descriptions.
-
The Inspector Lynley Mysteries: A Great Deliverance – DVD
Talk about a puzzling case. Detective Inspector Thomas Lynley of Scotland Yard (Nathaniel Parker, Far from the Maddding Crowd) is assigned to investigate the gruesome murder of a farmer in a seemingly peaceful country village, but it’s his new partner, Sgt. Barbara Havers (Sharon Small, About a Boy), whom he’s finding indecipherable. Havers is as gritty, rumpled, and working-class as the Inspector is refined, well-heeled, and sophisticated. Special DVD features include: virtual tour of the Mystery! studio; Q&A with Nathaniel Parker and Sharon Small; selected cast filmographies; selected cast list; biography for Diana Rigg, host of Mystery!; bibliography for Elizabeth George; selected cast list; link to the Mystery! Web site; closed captions; and video descriptions. (3 hrs. on 1 disc)
-
Battle of the X-Planes
Inside the high-tech, high-stakes competition to create America’s newest fighter plane. NOVA goes behind the doors of the world’s two largest aerospace companies to record classified meetings, climbs into cockpits to fly the most revolutionary planes, and examines the high-stakes battle waged between Boeing and Lockheed Martin to build the most capable and versatile fighter ever created–the Joint Strike Fighter. You’re on the front line as the two aerospace giants fight for a contract that will make aviation history and help protect America, and that could provide the winner total domination of the U.S. defense fighter industry. Special DVD features include: bonus video footage of Lockheed fighters; a visit to a “graveyard” for old military planes; materials and activities for educators; outfitting a fighter pilot activity; designing a stealth plane; link to the Battle of the X-Planes companion Web site; closed captions; and video descriptions.
-
Cancer Warrior
Imagine cancer as a highly manageable disease. Imagine treatment with few side effects. Imagine a revolution in medicine. Dr. Judah Folkman (Director of the Surgical Research Laboratories at Boston’s Children’s Hospital) shares his 40-year quest for a radically new cancer treatment, including the development of the much-touted drug, Endostatin. Now, Dr. Folkman invites cameras into his lab for a first-person look at the groundbreaking clinical research that offers hope to cancer patients. See a medical pioneer in action and hear the personal stories of courageous cancer patients participating in Endostatin and other drug trials. Special DVD features include: Access to the Cancer Warrior Web site; chapter search; English audiotrack; and subtitles.
-
Dams
See how changing the course of rivers changed the course of history. From the massive Aswan, to the top of the Hoover Dam, students meet courageous and ambitious builders, relive deadly disasters, and discover little-known personal triumphs and tragedies through spectacular film footage, fascinating facts and authentic recreations. Includes bonus hands-on building activity designed for kids. Special DVD features include: materials and activities for educators, scene selections and closed captions.
-
Domes
Tour the world and trace the 2000-year history of domes. From the Houston Astrodome to Rome’s St. Peter’s Cathedral, to the geodesic domes of Buckminster, this program introduces ingenious designers, recounts rarely told heroic stories, and reveals amazing triumphs. Includes bonus hands-on building activity designed for kids. Special DVD features include: materials and activities for educators, scene selections and closed captions.
-
Skyscrapers
Travel to some of the world’s most incredible skylines and discover the amazing stories of skyscrapers – from gothic French stone cathedrals, to Chicago’s record-setting Sears Tower, and get a futuristic look at the towers of tomorrow. Tour the world and trace the 2000-year history of domes. From the Houston Astrodome to Rome’s St. Peter’s Cathedral, to the geodesic domes of Buckminster, this program introduces ingenious designers, recounts rarely told heroic stories, and reveals amazing triumphs.