The Starshade

Is there life on planets in other star systems? It's a very old question. But finding the answer may get simpler with a new invention by astrophysicist, professor and inventor Webster Cash.
Running time 5:55 minutes.

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Spaceports

Whether you’re talking about privately owned and operated rockets to ferry cargo to low earth orbit, or the customers already in line for the opportunity to weightlessly gaze upon Earth from outer space, the “personal space flight revolution” will bring a new element of infrastructure to our communities: Spaceports. Building and operating these new launch facilities will require science, technology, engineering, math, imagination and problem solving skills.
Running time 11:45 minutes.

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Space Architecture

Space stations, moon bases, a Martian greenhouse? Building places to live and work in extreme environments takes architects that understand how to play by a different set of rules. Take your students to NASA's Johnson Space Center and the University of Houston, to meet architects that are tackling the challenges. Architecture in outer space is all about problem solving!
Running time 4:55 minutes.

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Reliable Robots

Robotics engineers at NASA's Ames Research Center design, build and test robots used for missions in space that are too dangerous or impossible for humans. It can take years of testing to ensure that the robots that are sent to the Moon and Mars will be reliable.
Running time 5:35 minutes.

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A Conversation with NASA Chief Mike Griffin

NASA Administrator Mike Griffin sat down with The Futures Channel to talk to teachers and students about the vision for space exploration--why he thinks it’s important, and what students need to bring to the table if they want to participate.
Running time 4:34 minutes.

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Flying on Mars

To fly around on the surface of Mars, a traditional aircraft would need to travel at speeds of over 250 MPH just to stay aloft in the very thin atmosphere. Taking off and landing on the rocky terrain for sample inspection and gathering would be nearly impossible. So what’s one solution? Check this out.
Running time 2:32 minutes.

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Food in Space

A 1000-day mission and six crew members, each needing four pounds of nutritious and tasty food per day. Variety is a must. That's what Dr. Michele Perchonok and the other food science specialists and dieticians at NASA's Johnson Space Center are up against, as they develop food for a mission to Mars.
Running time 5:23 minutes.

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Looking into Time

The science of optics teaches us how to make "bigger eyes", and if you want to look at something very far away, or very faint, you're going to need a really huge eye--such as the one used at Kitt Peak by astronomers studying distant galaxies.
Running time 3:29 minutes.

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Mission To Mars

How would you feel if you packed the car and hit the highway, knowing that your vacation destination would be moving continuously during your trip? As Astronaut Sidney Gutierrez explains, that's the problem planners face when sending a spacecraft to Mars.
Running time 1:47 minutes.

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The Orion Space Capsule

NASA is planning to send humans back to the Moon in 2018, but they’re already working on the spacecraft to get them there. NASA Aerospace and Industrial Engineer Robert Howard takes viewers inside the Habitability Design Center at Johnson Space Center for a look at the new Orion space capsule--and the math, engineering, and problem-solving skills his fascinating career demands.
Running time 6:20 minutes.

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Revisiting the Moon

Evidence suggests there may be deposits of ice within craters at the poles of the moon. If this proves to be the case, Planetary Scientist Dr. Paul Spudis says it could possibly be “the most valuable piece of real estate in the solar system.” Find out why.
Running time 6:16 minutes.

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Second Skin Capability

MIT Professor Dava Newman is working on a new “second skin” space suit that could end the “bunny hop” once and for all. Introduce your students to a woman whose work could dramatically improve space exploration technology.
Running time 4:30 minutes.

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The Space Sling

It's been described as "using the techniques of Tarzan" to move things through outer space. It's reusable and would dramatically reduce the cost of space missions. Scientists are working on it, NASA is funding it and The Futures Channel has been following it for the last two years. Want to help your students get in on the ground floor? Take five minutes to watch the movie and check out the Critical Thinking exercises!
Running time 5:19 minutes.

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The Surface of Mars

Currently the worldwide collection of Mars rocks totals exactly 37. They've come to us over the eons as meteorites. Molly McCanta’s job is to better understand the geological history of the red planet with only 37 samples to work from. She loves the challenge.
Running time 5:15 minutes.