Saturn and its disc of rings has become more bewildering the more closely we are able to observe it. The dynamic system of moons, moonlets and orbiting dust are drawing scientific attention. This episode looks at the Saturnian system, its unique moons and the probes that have began penetrating this planetary mystery.
The Launchers - The first step in leaving the Earth’s surface must be made via the huge power and precision control of a rocket. It’s expensive to reach space but new technology is bringing the cost down. This episode examines the range of launchers available today.
The International Space Station - Since the 1970 the space powers have been sending to orbit craft in which people could live and work for extended periods, but the expense and complexity has been daunting. This episode focuses on the international collaboration required to maintain a permanently crewed laboratory orbiting the Earth.
Spacesuits - Space is a hostile environment. For humans to live and work beyond the atmosphere requires a sophisticated suite of technology. This episode looks at the health effects of space on the human body and the techniques used to allow people to function in the micro-gravity vacuum.
Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system but it’s only recently that we’ve been able to get a glimpse into the intricacies of this giant and the fascinating moons that orbit it. This episode looks at what we know about Jupiter and how we know it.
Project Gemini – Docking and EVA - In the final phase of the Gemini program NASA struggles with docking and spacewalks; Curiosity - Roving Mars - On the surface of Mars the Curiosity rover is changing the way we think about the red planet; Swarm - A constellation of satellites is trying to discover why the Earth’s magnetic field is diminishing rapidly.
Cold War rivalry and the acceleration of space exploration; Preparations for Hubble’s final servicing mission; Chasing a Comet - Launch and the difficult path to rendezvous; Space Debris - Monitoring orbital debris
Project Gemini Commences - Did Gemini give the US a lead in the space race?; Venus Express - The last days of ESA’s Venus probe; EMU - NASA’s Extravehicular Mobility Unit; Deep Space Communications - ESA’s worldwide network of giant dishes
Project Mercury Begins -The start of NASA & America’s first manned space program; Mars Express - The European Space Agency’s Mars Satellite; The Soyuz Launch System - The gradual evolution of Russia’s Soyuz launcher
National space agencies, scientists and private businesses are competing to find pioneering ways to be part of the adventure to Mars, and are investing colossal sums of money to achieve their goal. Competition is fierce and sometimes cut-throat. They all have their sights set on finding the solutions to the problems raised by what is billed as the greatest expedition of all time. This documentary film presents the most influential scientists, engineers and adventurers in space exploration today.
Mars is our nearest planetary neighbour and its environment resembles own more closely than any other member of our planetary family. Robotic probes have revealed that water once flowed on the surface. This episode follows the quest to find traces of life on Mars.
Project Gemini Advances - NASA refines the techniques needed for rendezvous; Cassini At Saturn - In the Cassini probe’s final years of activity, its handlers are asking it to do more complex and risky assignments; Learning More About Mars - An interlinked group of satellites and rovers are paving the way for a manned mission to Mars
Project Mercury Advances - America’s first manned space program finally puts a man in orbit; Camera Tracking - The array of special cameras that follow a spacecraft at launch; The International Space Station - The building and operation of the orbiting laboratory
Venezuela with its spectacular landscapes is the grand finale of our journey. The majestic Table Mountains (Tepuis) in the south of the country build the backdrop for the adventurous flights in La Gran Sabana. In this episode the renowned Director Werner Herzog joins us in search of inspiration for new unusual visuals. For a long time he has been an admirer of the austere beauty of the Tepuis - now he not only ventures to experience the eerie ambience on their top.
Eight teams from all over the planet meet in Ulaanbaator seeking to explore the wild land of the Mongolians with their hot-air balloons. As they race across giant sand dunes, spectacular mountain and steppe sceneries, picturesque villages and ancient monasteries the balloon enthusiasts experience the wild nature and fascinating culture of Mongolia in a very special way.
African adventure: zebra, wildebeest and elephant cross the savannah of the Maasai Mara in huge herds, flamingos fly in their thousands over the enormous lake Elementaita and the red African sun sets over the green hills of the Great Rift Valley – in Kenya, every hot-air balloon ride is a unique experience. Kenya is also the home of Alan Root, one of the world’s most renowned wildlife filmmakers.
Our balloon trip to Sri Lanka takes us on a journey through a beautiful country in the Indian Ocean. Rich cultures, ancient temples, exotic landscapes, old steam locomotives and tea plantations are part of the adventures. It is awe-inspiring, when the balloons rise above the canopy in the early morning mists and float over the treetops and past brilliant white temples on gigantic rocks. Landing however is difficult in a country, which seems to consists only of jungle, lakes and rice-paddies.
The Alps in winter have always appealed to hot-air balloonists. Ascending high above the snowy peaks and enjoying the majestic alpine panorama in all its glory is only possible in a hot-air balloon. But ballooning in the Alps is no picnic. Craggy peaks, mountain lakes, forests, power lines and villages divide the landscape below into a fragmented puzzle. Landing places are rare and emergency landings almost inevitable.
For centuries, the Dutch have tamed the sea with dykes and criss-crossed their country with canals and waterways. Lately, climate change is whipping up storms and raising the sea level and the Netherlands is now seeking a new pact with water in order to protect the low-lying country. They’re making use of state-of-the-art technologies and the power of nature and are systematically making space for the water elsewhere.
