Building a space launch vehicle is one of the most complex engineering tasks imaginable: Over a million parts must come together and work perfectly under extremely severe conditions. How do you go about building something like this? What are some of the tools and strategies engineers use? And just what is "Systems Engineering?" Go on location with six engineers at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in this latest in our series of programs about the Ares Projects.

[The Ares rockets were part of NASA's Constellation Program which ended in 2010. Despite the policy change, this movie shows real-world applications of math, science, technology and engineering applicable to virtually any space exploration program.]
Running time 7:44 minutes.

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.

To consider the space solar power concept requires an understanding of science, technology, engineering, math, energy, policy, environmental factors, and more. Space solar power is an engineering project on a scale that rivals the greatest in history. Students need to be informed and able to participate in the conversation.
Running time 19:00 minutes.

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.

Let engineers at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center introduce your students to fascinating concepts in materials science, the importance of alloys, low temperature welding using friction, strength to weight ratio and much more.

[The Ares rockets were part of NASA's Constellation Program which ended in 2010. Despite the policy change, this movie shows real-world applications of math, science, technology and engineering applicable to virtually any space exploration program.]
Running time 9:28 minutes.

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.

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.
Running time 11:45 minutes.

Go on location with five engineers at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center for a real-world look at the science, technology, engineering and mathematics behind rocket testing.

[The Ares rockets were part of NASA's Constellation Program which ended in 2010. Despite the policy change, this movie shows real-world applications of math, science, technology and engineering applicable to virtually any space exploration program.]
Running time 8:44 minutes.

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.
Running time 5:19 minutes.

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.

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.

NASA Aerospace and Industrial Engineer Robert Howard takes viewers inside the Habitability Design Center at Johnson Space Center for a look at the Orion space capsule--and the math, and engineering skills his fascinating career demands.
Running time 6:20 minutes.

When it comes to designing robots for space, making sure that they can complete their missions is the name of the game for NASA’s robotics engineers. That requires math, especially probability.
Running time 5:35 minutes.

NASA’s most ambitious mission to Mars is launching later this year to land a car-sized rover on the red planet. The rover, nicknamed Curiosity, has a greater range than any rover before and it carries an impressive array of science instruments. It will explore terrain on Mars where water once flowed, searching for evidence of life.
Running time 4:53 minutes.

One of the most vital and rewarding engineering disciplines is also the least understood. Show your students what it means to be a Systems Engineer with Part 2 of our video series about the Mars Science Laboratory. This mission to Mars, which includes a car-sized rover equipped with a jackhammer drill, will be the most ambitious exploration of the red planet to date and it’s launching later this year!
Running time 6:00 minutes.

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.

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.
Running time 5:15 minutes.