[NOVA] "Welcome to Mars"

Next on NOVA: "Welcome to Mars"

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Broadcast: January 4, 2005 (NOVA airs Tuesdays on PBS at 8 p.m. Check your local listings as dates and times may vary.)

On January 3, 2004, a rover named Spirit, cushioned inside a pyramid of balloons, hurtled through the martian atmosphere and crash-landed on the dusty surface of Mars. Minutes later, Spirit sent its first message home. NOVA captured the elation of the assembled scientists, along with the much more involved engineering story leading up to the landing, in the award-winning documentary "MARS Dead or Alive," which aired one year ago. That elation is the starting point for the highly anticipated sequel, "Welcome to Mars." In this mission update NOVA follows the Mars rovers Spirit and Opportunity from the second they crash-land on the planet to many months into their ongoing mission. The story unfolds from inside NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, providing a unique, behind-the-scenes take on this voyage of discovery, whose primary goal has been to find evidence that liquid water once existed on Mars.

Here's what you'll find online:

Inquiry, Interview & More

Life's Little Essential Everybody knows that liquid water is necessary for life, at least as we know it. But just why exactly?

Behind the Scenes Producer Mark Davis talks about his extraordinary experience filming alongside the Mars Exploration Rover team.

Man on a Mission Before launch, lead scientist Steve Squyres reveals his hopes and fears for the rovers.

Mars From Afar See some of the finest images ever taken of the martian surface.

Interactives & Video

Mars Up Close Steve Squyres narrates this visual tour of the rovers' most revealing discoveries.

Anatomy of a Rover Examine the robotic geologists and their suite of scientific instruments.

Design a Parachute Create a parachute strong and light enough to safely slow the rovers in their descent toward Mars.

From Launch to Landing Watch an animation of one rover's fantastic journey from Earth to Mars.

MARS Dead or Alive NOVA's first hour-long program on the Mars rover mission is available to view online.

Also, Links & Books, the program transcript, and the teacher's guide.

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