Mars : dead or alive

Mars Dead or alive

DVD - 2004

In January 2004, two spacecraft (named Spirit and Opportunity) carrying identical robotic explorers touched down on the surface of Mars. Take a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the design, testing, and launch of the mission, then join the quest for signs of life on the red planet.

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DVD/523.43/Mars
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Subjects
Mars probes.
Video description.
Video recordings for people with visual disabilities.
Mars (Planet)
Video recordings for the hearing impaired.
Genres
Video recordings for the hearing impaired
Published
[Boston, Mass.] : WGBH [2004]
Language
English
Corporate Authors
WGBH (Television station : Boston, Mass.), National Geographic Channel (Television station : Washington, D.C.)
Corporate Authors
WGBH (Television station : Boston, Mass.) (-), National Geographic Channel (Television station : Washington, D.C.)
Other Authors
Mark J. Davis (-), Neil Ross
Item Description
Original broadcast of the PBS television program Nova.
Letterboxed.
"An exclusive behind-the-scenes look at NASA's successful mission to Mars"--Container.
Special features: bonus video-profile of NASA's Donna Shirley, who led the team that sent rover Sojourner Truth to Mars ; an interview with Steve Squyres of MER ; Anatomy of a rover activity ; printable materials for educators ; access to MARS dead or alive Web site.
Physical Description
1 videodisc (DVD)(approximately 60 min.) : sound, color ; 4 3/4 in
Audience
Not rated.
Production Credits
Edited by Nathan Hendrie ; music, Tom Phillips ; camera, Robert Jaye.
ISBN
9781593751128
Contents unavailable.
Review by School Library Journal Review

Gr 7 Up-Mars: Dead of Alive does a great job explaining the work of space scientists and the drama of the 2004 U.S. Mars project from design to landing. There is also plenty of information about what is known about Mars and what NASA hopes to find out with its twin rovers. The excitement of the trial and error development of the craft is the highlight of the program. Steve Squyres, chief scientist at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory where much of the work was done, explains the development process and design of Mars Exploration Rovers or MERs. This you-are-there approach takes viewers through the frustrations and rethinking needed when requirements for size, weight, and functions seemed impossible. Engineers show parachutes that collapse, protective airbags that break, and robots that need to do complex unfolding after landing. MERs' onboard equipment is clearly explained in lab simulations and demonstrations. Computer animated segments help to clarify concepts. Other male scientists explain how the landing sites were chosen and what they hope to find. Although only a few non-speaking women appear in the program, the DVD includes a bonus interview with Donna Shirley, team leader for the 1997 "Sojourner Truth" Mars mission. The program concludes with the drama of the MER launch, with exciting last minute tests and a countdown stop that leaves the rocket wired like a bomb on the ground. The thrilling landing follows seven months after launch on January 3, 2004 and is shown with the help of computer simulations. Astronomy and robotics students will be thrilled with this program that highlights can-do problem solving.-Joan Karasick, Greenwich High School, CT (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

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