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What is Ares?
What is Ares? Now Playing

Go inside one of NASA's most fascinating centers for a rare look at what it takes to design and build a new space transportation system. The careers available to students are vast as we enter this new era of space exploration, but they all require a basic understanding of science, technology, engineering and math.
Running time 6:40 minutes.

The Ares Launch Vehicles
The Ares Launch Vehicles Now Playing

Imagine a rocket the size of a small skyscraper. Now imagine shooting it into the air with so much force that it goes from zero to a thousand miles an hour in less than a minute. What kind of engines can generate that much thrust? And why is that rocket built in stages?
Running time 9:09 minutes.

Designing and Engineering Rockets
Designing and Engineering Rockets Now Playing

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.
Running time 7:44 minutes.

Ares: Testing Rockets
Ares: Testing Rockets Now Playing

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. This is the fourth installment in our popular documentary series about the Ares Launch Vehicles.
Running time 8:44 minutes.

Ares: Full Scale Development
Ares: Building the Upper Stage Now Playing

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 in this fifth installment in our popular documentary series about the Ares Launch Vehicles.
Running time 9:28 minutes.

The Ares Projects: Telling the Story
The Ares Projects: Telling the Story Now Playing

Take your students to the television and multimedia studios at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center to meet a few of the people who help communicate the Ares Projects to the country and the world. This is the sixth installment in our popular documentary series about the Ares Launch Vehicles.
Running time 6:47 minutes.

Flying on Mars
Flying on Mars Now Playing

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.

Space-based Solar Power
Powering the PlanetNow Playing

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.

Revisiting the Moon
Revisiting the Moon Now Playing

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.

Second Skin Capability
Second Skin Capability Now Playing

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.

Spaceports
Spaceports Now Playing

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.

The Space Sling
The Space Sling Now Playing

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.

The Starshade
The Starshade Now Playing

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.

The Delta Clipper
The Delta Clipper Available by Subscription

A major, long-term goal in aerospace is to make access to space as routine as flying in a commercial airplane today. On August 18th, 1993, the Delta Clipper Experimental rocket, DC-X for short, took a step in that direction with its first test flight. Like many experimental vehicles, it didn't get all the way to its goal, but the data it produced over the course of a dozen flights influences innovation in rocketry to this day.
Running time 3:50 minutes.

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.

The Orion Space Capsule
The Orion Space Capsule Available by Subscription

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.

Reliable Robots
Reliable Robots Available by Subscription

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.

Space Architecture
Space Architecture Available by Subscription

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.

The Surface of Mars
The Surface of Mars Available by Subscription

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.