Watch Mars Rising

Mars Rising is a six-episode television series that aired on the Science Channel in 2007. The show is hosted and produced by James Cameron, the critically acclaimed filmmaker best known for his work on movies such as Titanic, Avatar, and Aliens. The show follows the story of the development of the Mars Science Laboratory, a NASA mission to explore and study the planet Mars. Specifically, the show focuses on the design and construction of the rover, Curiosity, which was ultimately sent to Mars in 2012.

The first episode of Mars Rising sets the stage for the mission by discussing the history of Mars exploration and providing an overview of the challenges involved in sending a rover to another planet. This includes a discussion of the sparse atmosphere on Mars, the extreme temperature swings that can occur in a single day, and the difficulty of controlling a rover from such a great distance.

Throughout the series, Cameron and the rest of the team responsible for the Mars Science Laboratory discuss the many design decisions that went into creating Curiosity. This includes everything from the materials used to construct the rover, to the mechanisms for controlling its movements.

One of the key challenges in designing Curiosity was making sure that it was able to withstand the harsh conditions on Mars. This meant designing the rover to be as durable and reliable as possible, while also keeping its weight down to ensure that it could be launched into space.

Another important consideration was the need for the rover to be able to collect and analyze samples of Martian soil and rock. To achieve this, the team included a sophisticated suite of scientific instruments on board, including a laser that can vaporize rock samples and a mass spectrometer that can analyze the resulting gases.

Throughout the series, Cameron and the team also discuss the various setbacks and unexpected discoveries that occurred during the development of the mission. For example, they discuss the difficulties involved in testing the rover's wheels on terrain that accurately simulates the Martian landscape.

Perhaps most interestingly, the series provides a behind-the-scenes look at the many people involved in bringing the Mars Science Laboratory to fruition. This includes everyone from engineers and scientists to the technicians who physically build the rover.

In addition to providing an inside look at the design and construction of Curiosity, Mars Rising also touches on some of the scientific questions that the rover was designed to answer. This includes exploring the possibility of life on Mars, studying the planet's geology and atmospheric conditions, and gaining a better understanding of its history.

Overall, Mars Rising is a fascinating and informative look at the science and engineering behind space exploration. The show's focus on the people involved in the mission, as well as its detailed explanations of the technical challenges involved, make it a must-watch for anyone interested in space exploration or science in general.

Mars Rising is a series that ran for 1 seasons (6 episodes) between October 30, 2007 and on Science Channel