Name: Space: The New Frontier: Emissiaries
Uploaded: 2016-01-01T00:00:00-08:00
Duration: 24 min 15 s
Description: NASA and others are developing new innovative propulsion systems, Ion thrusters, solar sails and the science fiction 'Warp drive' is not as far away as once thought.

The sky above is studded with stars and countless galaxies. In them, we can read not only our origin, but also our final destination. Technology is on the brink of taking us to places we have only dreamed of.

Space: The New Frontier

From There to Here

The moon is our closest celestial companion. It lights our night sky and gently tugs at our shores. Few have walked on her surface, but her allure remains strong.

Return to the Moon

They orbit between our planet and our star. Mercury and Venus make up half of our terrestrial planets, but we still know very little about them. As we take a closer look at our companions, we find more questions than answers.

The Inner Worlds

Mars has fired our imagination for thousands of years. The tantilizing possibility of life has made it the most inviting planet in our solar system. It is the only other place that man may one day call home.

Next Stop Mars

From the beginnings of our solar system 4.5 billions years ago, there remain many clues to reveal its evolution. Remnant debris, asteroids, and comets are what's left of the building blocks to our celestial neighborhood.

The Planet Makers

In the cold, dark expanse of our solar system, beyond the asteroid belt, lie the giant planets. Some can be seen with the naked eye, others have been visited by our camera. What secrets do they hold?

The Gas Giants

There are many more worlds in our solar system than just the planets. The mysterious moons of the gas giants may hold much more than we ever imagined. Each one is unique, and each one deserves a scrutinous eye.

The Moons of Olympus

The sun bathes our planet in warmth and light. It powers the machinery of nature, our weather, and it encourages and sustains life on land and at sea. We study it closely, and it can reveal the secrets of all other stars.

The Sun

As scientists and astronomers peer more closely and with evermore fidelity at nearby stars, they are discovering countless exo planets. How many Earth-like planets are out there? Could one of them hold life not so different from our own?

Exo Planets

The night sky is a time machine. The further we look out into the universe, the further back in time we reach. Most of what we see is actually dark matter and dark energy, but its nature eludes us ... for the moment.

Edge of the Universe

Pluto

NASA and others are developing new innovative propulsion systems, Ion thrusters, solar sails and the science fiction 'Warp drive' is not as far away as once thought.

Emissiaries

Who are these people that venture into space? Once they were test pilots, then scientists and engineers now teachers, politicians and paying tourists what does it take to earn the astronaut wings?

The Astronauts

The new surge in space transportation, privately owned companies vying for government contracts and private entrepreneurs looking to build hotels in space.

Space: Getting There

Chances are, you are watching this program by satellite, one way or the other. Every day we use these wonders of human design, from communication and weather observation, to GPS and recourse management.

Orbit

With low Earth orbit delegated to private companies, NASA is free to develop the deep space hardware for missions to Mars and beyond. The Orion space craft and SLS launch system are well on their way to delivering this capability.

Shore to Shore

Air, water, food, electricity and fuel all the essentials to explore the solar system, this episode explores the innovative plans for astronauts to grow their own food and extract water and fuel at their destinations.

Mars: Adapt or Leave

The threat of an asteroid strike is a very real danger in our solar system, mankind is now in a position to defend the planet from such an eventuality.

Danger, Asteroids Ahead

The Hubble Telescope is nearing its end, the replacements are ready to go, ready to peer further back in time and space than can be imagined.

First Light

The life cycle of stars reveal to us the past and the future of Earth and ourselves.

Stars Above

In terms of the Universe, we know we don't know much, especially when it comes to dark matter and dark energy. Scientists are devoting so much of their time to discovering as much as the possibly can about this mysterious matter.

The Dark Side

With the launch of the first privately owned space craft to service the international space station, it's time to take a fresh look at the new frontiers of space. What does the immediate future hold?

S2 E6 Emissiaries

Full Episodes

Season 2, 10 Episodes