Space Videos - The Documentary Network

A Year In Space

Documentary.net staff — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 09:36:38 +0000

On March 27, Scott Kelly began a historic year in space. Follow Kelly and his twin brother as they test the boundaries of space together. In episode 1 Scott Kelly says goodbye to family and friends as he leaves to become the first American to spend a year in space. In episode 2, before leaving Earth, astronaut Scott Kelly heads to a once secret space center outside Moscow that is now the scene of an unprecedented collaboration between former enemie

50 Years of Spacewalks

Documentary.net staff — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 08:54:45 +0000

This NASA documentary celebrates 50 years of extravehicular activity (EVA) or spacewalks that began with the first two EVAs conducted by Russian Alexey Leonov in March 1965 and American astronaut Edward White in June 1965 . The documentary features interviews with NASA Administrator and astronaut, Charles Bolden, NASA Deputy Administrator and spacesuit designer, Dava Newman, as well as other astronauts, engineers, technicians, managers and luminaries of spacewalk history. They share their personal stories and thoughts that cover the full EVA experience-- from the early spacewalking experiences, to spacesuit manufacturing, to modern day spacewalks aboard the International Space Station as well as what the future holds for humans working on a tether in space. "Suit Up," is narrated by actor and fan of space exploration Jon Cryer. Cryer recently traveled to Star City, NASA Headquarters and the Johnson Space Center to film an upcoming Travel Channel documentary series.

An overview of the daily complexity and volumes of air traffic across the UK, Europe and North Atlantic

Documentary.net staff — Tue, 18 Nov 2014 08:53:31 +0000

Both Europe 24 and North Atlantic Skies were designed to give an overview of the daily complexity and volumes of air traffic across the UK and Europe and to do so in a way that was cinematic and exciting to watch. I think we were able to do that to great effect, but we now want to take you a little deeper.

Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster: Major Malfunction

Documentary.net staff — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 18:40:11 +0000

On Jan. 28, 1986, seven astronauts "slipped the surly bonds of earth to touch the face of God." America's space program was never the same. They died as they slipped the surly bonds of Earth. The last words of that sentence, haunting words, were written by John Gillespie Magee Jr., an American airman and poet who enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1940, before the United States entered World War II. He was killed the following year in a midair collision over England. He was all of 19...

The Search for Earth-like Planets

Documentary.net staff — Tue, 08 Apr 2014 18:55:47 +0000

Get the latest from the planet-hunting frontier. Find out what we are learning about our place in the cosmos from the search for earth-like planets. This journey started tens of thousands of years ago, when humans began to fan out across the planet, following unknown pathways, crossing unmeasured distances. We traced coastlines, and sailed uncertain seas. We crossed ocean straits drained by an ice age. Into every corner of Earth we ventured, looking for places to put down our roots, to raise our families, or just to see what was there. Today, it's the final frontier that fires our imaginations. With so many stars in our galaxy, we make a simple extrapolation, that the cosmos must be filled with worlds like ours, with life, even intelligent life. For four years, the historic planet hunting mission, Kepler, starred at a group of 150,000 stars located in a region extending three thousand light years away from earth. The data collected by this spacecraft has brought a turning point in the long search for other planets like earth. Is ours one of countless life-bearing worlds strewn about the galaxy; or is it a rare garden of eden in a barren universe?

Mars One Way – Permanent human settlement on Mars

Documentary.net staff — Sun, 09 Mar 2014 14:48:30 +0000

There were 200,000 people who applied to participate in a project called Mars One. It's a private enterprise to establish a permanent human settlement on Mars and film a reality show along the way. The idea is to go in crews of four starting in 2024. The thing is, right now the technology can only get them there. "Mars One Way" documents the thoughts and theories of Five hopeful Mars One astronauts as they contemplate the reality of leaving planet Earth forever, for a new home on Mars. Cast in order of appearance: Cody Reeder, Casey Hunter, Will Robbins, Katelyn "Kitty" Kane, Ken Sullivan, Becky Sullivan, Calvin Juárez Directed by: Skylar Nielsen Interview: Doug Fabrizio Produced: Elaine Clark, Doug Fabrizio, Skylar Nielsen Director of Photography: Ian Rigby Cinematography: Josh Fletcher Editing: Catura Jenson Sound: Marcus MacDonald A Vita Brevis Films Production in association with Video West.

Time Lapse of Earth from the ISS (4K)

Documentary.net staff — Tue, 10 Dec 2013 13:29:31 +0000

This montage of time-lapse photography from the International Space Station is collected from many taken in Expeditions 29, 30 and 31. The goal with this sequence was to bring a bit more attention to the station itself, including the humans aboard it, particularly Don Pettit (appearing in the final shot) who took many of the sequences in this montage. (Video is in 4K, if you have problems with viewing it you should reduce the resolution to HD.) Images: http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/ Music: 'Fill My Heart' by Two Steps from Hell Editor: David Peterson Sequences: 0:03 - Bosnia & Herzegovina to Ukraine Mission: ISS031, Frames: 55446-55591 0:08 - South Atlantic Ocean, between Brazil and Liberia Mission: ISS031, Frames: 154281-154472 0:16 - Greece and Turkey Mission ISS031, Frames: 26008-26202 0:24 - South Pacific Ocean, near Peru Mission: ISS031, Frames: 48993-49186 0:32 - Turkey to Syria Mission: ISS031, Frame: 76590-76782 0:39 - Libya to the Mediterranean Mission: ISS031, Frames: 25782-25972 0:47 - Indian Ocean, between Kenya and Madagascar Mission: ISS031, Frames: 50818-51010 0:54 - Pacific Ocean, south of Japan Mission: ISS031, Frames: 117700-117772 0:58 - Pacific Ocean, facing North passing Hawaii Mission: ISS031, Frames: 101027-101674 1:02 - China, Japan, Pacific Ocean Mission: ISS030, Frames: 112458-112553 1:06 - South Pacific to North Atlantic, across Colombia/Venezuela Mission: ISS031, Frames: 75421-75513 1:10 - South Pacific to South Atlantic, across Chile/Argentina Mission: ISS031, Frames: 42147-42242 1:14 - South Pacific to North Atlantic, across Colombia/Venezuela Mission: ISS031, Frames: 48140-48199 1:17 - Pacific Ocean, from New Zealand to USA Mission: ISS031, Frames: 66043-66136 1:22 - Southern Chile to Angola, facing south Mission: ISS031, Frames: 49203-49277 1:25 - Iran to Australia Mission: ISS031, Frames: 180064-180120 1:29 - North America to South America Mission: ISS031, Frames: 180172-180222 1:33 - Pacific Ocean to Chile/Argentina/Brazil, facing south Mission: ISS031, Frames: 48094-48139 1:37 - South Pacific/Japan & North Pacific Mission: ISS031, Frames: 154164-154204,154205-154256 1:40 - South Pacific to South Atlantic, across Chile/Argentina/Brazil Mission: ISS031, Frames: 44598-44645 1:44 - South Pacific to North Atlantic, across Chile/Argentina/Brazil Mission: ISS030, Frames: 159064-159113 1:48 - India/Thailand/Indonesia/Australia/New Zealand Mission: ISS031, Frames: 177704-177764 1:52 - South Pacific to South Atlantic, across Chile/Argentina/Brazil Mission: ISS031, Frames: 37675-37735 1:56 - DR Congo/Zambia/Mozambique/Madagascar/Indian Ocean Mission: ISS030, Frames: 21632-21819 2:03 - Lovejoy Comet over Australia Mission: ISS030, Frames: 14225-14455 2:11 - Moon rising over China Mission: ISS031, Frames: 27699-27763 2:13 - Moon rising over Pacific Ocean, south of Japan Mission: ISS031, Frames: 27468-27526 2:14 - Moon rising over Taiwan & Philippines (with Don Pettit) Mission: ISS031, Frames: 27802-28017

Breathtaking POV video shows Stratos jump in full length

Documentary.net staff — Wed, 16 Oct 2013 08:02:25 +0000

On October 14 2012, the Austrian extreme sportsman Felix Baumgartner jumped from a capsule in a free fall to the ground. On the anniversary of the Stratos project, a video was released showing the jump from several perspectives. The video also shows the critical seconds when Baumgartner began to turn dangerously. In addition, you can see data like altitude, G-forces, speed and Baumgartner's pulse. Red Bull Stratos was a space diving project involving Austrian skydiver Felix Baumgartner. On 14 October 2012, Baumgartner flew approximately 39 kilometres into the stratosphere over New Mexico, United States, in a helium balloon before free falling in a pressure suit and then parachuting to Earth. The total jump, from leaving the capsule to landing on the ground, lasted approximately ten minutes. While the free fall was initially expected to last between five and six minutes, Baumgartner deployed his parachute after 4 minutes and 19 seconds. You can find a documentary about the project at stratos.rdioexclusives.com (You have to either register or use your Facebook account to be able to see it).

Elon Musk Profiled

Documentary.net staff — Wed, 07 Aug 2013 06:26:22 +0000

This film profiles Elon Musk, the entrepreneur who helped create PayPal, built America’s first viable fully electric car company, started the nation’s biggest solar energy supplier, and may make commercial space travel a reality in our lifetime. And he’s only 40. Elson Musk is a lot like the kid in the comic book, whose fantasies turn into reality. But not as a magician, he did as an engineer. Musk's fantasies and companies have transformed the way we live. He founded his first company at age 23 and sold it a few years later for 300 million dollars. He helped pave the way for online commerce with PayPal. He made solar engery afforable and jumpstarted the electric car industry. Plus he his competing NASA to outer space.

Discovering Deep Space

Documentary.net staff — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 18:04:51 +0000

Around the world, a new generation of astronomers are hunting for the most mysterious objects in the universe. Young stars, black holes, even other forms of life. They have created a dazzling new set of super-telescopes that promise to rewrite the story of the heavens. This film follows the men and women who are pushing the limits of science and engineering in some of the most extreme environments on earth. But most strikingly of all, no-one really knows what they will find out there. Not even drop-dead good looks and boyish enthusiasm could save Brian Cox from the first law of science on TV. No matter how hard you try, you can't make cutting-edge astrophysics intelligible for the scientifically illiterate. After all, even the scientifically literate barely have a clue what's going on; and if they do, they don't always agree. So throughout Wonders of the Solar System, I found myself saying: "I'm sure this is a-m-aaazing, Brian, but I haven't a clue why." Horizon: Seeing Stars showcasing the world's best telescopes, got round this problem by not bothering to explain the difficult stuff, the basic message of the voiceover being: "This is all really important but I'm not going to say why, as you won't understand, so just sit back and enjoy the pictures because they are stunning." This no-nonsense approach was surprisingly effective because it lived up to its billing: the images were breathtaking.

The Beauty of Space Photography

Documentary.net staff — Fri, 24 May 2013 04:22:55 +0000

Space presents a fantastic mystery to human life. Unfathomably large, with characteristics that defy our experience and understanding, the stars have perplexed and amazed humanity for our entire recorded history, and likely before. In the present, astrophysicists and astronomers are aggressively studying the universe in an attempt to solve critical scientific and philosophical questions. One of the primary tools for measurement and observation is imaging using cameras connected to powerful telescopes on Earth and in space. And although it's not the primary motivation for photographing space, beauty is one of the most intriguing byproducts. Images of space communicate the grandeur of the universe, and spark essential curiosities about what may be out there waiting for us once we make our way into the stars. Featuring: Emily Rice, American Museum of Natural History Zolt Levay, Space Telescope Science Institute David Hogg, New York University

NASA Space Shuttle – Narrated by William Shatner

Documentary.net staff — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:44:40 +0000

The most complex machine ever built to bring humans to and from space and eventually construct the next stop on the road to space exploration. NASA's space shuttle fleet began setting records with its first launch on April 12, 1981 and continued to set high marks of achievement and endurance through 30 years of missions. Starting with Columbia and continuing with Challenger, Discovery, Atlantis and Endeavour, the spacecraft has carried people into orbit repeatedly, launched, recovered and repaired satellites, conducted cutting-edge research and built the largest structure in space, the International Space Station. The final space shuttle mission, STS-135, ended July 21, 2011 when Atlantis rolled to a stop at its home port, NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. As humanity's first reusable spacecraft, the space shuttle pushed the bounds of discovery ever farther, requiring not only advanced technologies but the tremendous effort of a vast workforce. Thousands of civil servants and contractors throughout NASA's field centers and across the nation have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to mission success and the greater goal of space exploration.

Is the space tourism industry ready for lift off?

Documentary.net staff — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 09:05:06 +0000

In the middle of the desert at the Mojave Air and Space Port, there is a race underway: a race to build a spaceship that will take tourists into space. Two spaceships are leading the pack, Virgin Galactic’s ‘SpaceShip 2’ and XCOR Aerospace’s ‘Lynx’. “What we want to do is open up space flight to humanity. And so what that means is making the wondrous experience of spaceflight available to you and me,” says Virgin Galactic CEO George Whitesides. Jeff Greason, co-founder of XCOR Aerospace, agrees. “We could enter a phase of human history like what happened before with the opening of the New World.” Although there is no official launch date, both companies believe that they’re close to taking off. Test flights are expected to start in late 2013 and commercial flights in 2014. Each company offers a different experience. Virgin Galactic’s ‘SpaceShip 2’ is described by Whitesides as looking like “a fighter jet and a rocket ship married together”. It seats 6 passengers and two pilots and takes off horizontally, like an airplane. SpaceShip 2 soars 100 kilometers above Earth to the official limits of space. At that point, passengers can unbuckle their seatbelts to experience weightlessness for a few minutes. The flight, from take off to landing, lasts about two hours.

Voyager Journey to the Stars

Documentary.net staff — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 14:04:03 +0000

The film examines the great promise of the Voyager mission and where it will lead us in our grand ambition to move out beyond our home planet. The two Voyager spacecraft are part of an ancient quest to push beyond our boundaries... to see what lies beyond the horizon. Now tens of billions of kilometers from Earth, two spacecraft are streaking out into the void. What will we learn about the Galaxy, the Universe, and ourselves from Voyager's epic Journey to the stars? December 19, 1972... the splashdown of the Apollo 17 crew capsule marked the end of the golden age of manned spaceflight. The Mercury.... Gemini... and Apollo programs had proven that we could send people into space... To orbit the Earth.... Fly out beyond our planet... Then land on the moon and walk among its ancient crater. The collective will to send people beyond our planet faded in times of economic uncertainty, war, and shifting priorities. And yet, just five years after Apollo ended, scientists launched a new vision that was just as profound and even more far-reaching. It didn't all go smoothly. Early computer problems threatened to doom Voyager 2. Then its radio receiver failed, forcing engineers to use a back up. Now, after more than three and a half decades of successful operations, the twin spacecraft are sending back information on their flight into interstellar space. Along the way, they have revealed a solar system rich beyond our imagining. The journey was made possible by a rare alignment of the planets, a configuration that occurs only once every 176 years. That enabled the craft to go from planet to planet, accelerating as they entered the gravitational field of one, then flying out to the next. The Voyagers carried a battery of scientific equipment to collect data on the unknown worlds in their path. That included a pair of vidicom cameras, and a data transfer rate slower than a dialup modem.

Mars: World That Never Was

Documentary.net staff — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 16:04:47 +0000

Did Mars long ago develop far enough for life to arise? If so, does anything still live within Mars' dusty plains, beneath its ice caps, or somewhere underground? In 1964 the Mariner Four spacecraft flew by Mars and got a good look. What it saw looked more like the Moon than the Earth. Then, in the mid-1970's, two lander-orbiter robot teams, named Viking, went in for an even closer look. The landers tested the soil for the chemical residues of life. All the evidence from Viking told us: Mars is dead. And extremely harsh. The mission recorded Martian surface temperatures from -17 degrees Celsius down to -107. We now know it can get even colder than that at the poles. The atmosphere is 95% carbon dioxide, with only traces of oxygen. And it's extremely thin, with less than one percent the surface pressure of Earth's atmosphere. And it's bone dry. In fact, the Sahara Desert is a rainforest compared to Mars, where water vapor is a trace gas in the atmosphere. On Earth, impact craters erode over time from wind and water... and even volcanic activity. On Mars, they can linger for billions of years. Earth's surface is shaped and reshaped by the horizontal movement of plates that make up its crust driven by heat welling up from the planet's hot interior. At half the width and only 11% the mass of Earth, Mars doesn't generate enough heat to support wide-scale plate tectonics. Nor does it have the gravity to hold a thick atmosphere needed to store enough heat at the surface to allow liquid water to flow. Nonetheless, some areas that looked to Viking-era scientists like craters and volcanic areas, were later shown to be riverbeds, lake bottoms, and ocean shorelines. If water once flowed on Mars' surface, where did it all go? This was the scene at NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab in 2004. The twin rovers Spirit and Opportunity had just bounced down on the Red Planet. When the excitement died down, the rovers were set off on one of the most remarkable journeys in the history of planetary exploration. Missions like this could one day pave the way for a day when we'll view images from a real astronaut's camera. Opportunity had come to rest in a small crater near the equator, at a spot called Meridiani Planum. Here, in plain view, on a nearby crater wall, its camera revealed exposed bedrock, the first ever seen on Mars. Not far away, the rover found layered rocks on the face of a cliff. On Earth, they typically form as sedimentary layers at the bottom of oceans. And at every turn, Opportunity rolled across tiny, smooth, round pellets. They became known as "blueberries" because they appeared purplish-brown against Mars' rust-colored surface. Initially thought to be volcanic in origin, they turned out to be iron-rich spherules of the type that form within cavities in the mud at the bottom of an ocean. Drilling into rocks, the rover inserted a spectrometer to read the mineral content. The readings showed significant amounts of sulfate salt, a tracer for standing water. That wasn't all. Spirit's broken wheel, dragging behind it, exposed soils saturated in salt. Clearly there once was water on Mars' surface, but how long ago? And, if there is anything left, where would you find it? One possible answer: the North Pole. From orbit, this region seemed to be covered in frozen CO2 - what we call dry ice. But was there water ice below the surface? Enter Phoenix, a lander that touched down near the North Pole in early 2008. Radar readings from orbit, taken by the Mars Express mission, hinted at the presence of ice just below the surface. The Phoenix lander's descent thrusters blew away the top layer of soil, allowing its camera to snap pictures of what looked like ice. Scientists instructed the robot to conduct a simple experiment: reach out and dig a trench, then watch what happens. As expected, clumps of white stuff appeared. A couple of days later, it was gone. Vaporized. That means it can't be salt or frozen CO2, which is stable in the cold dry temperatures of the Martian pole. So it had to be water, the first ever directly seen on Mars. There are indications that the North Pole was actually warm enough in the recent past for water ice to become liquid. The Mars Reconaissance Orbiter, or MRO, used radar pulses to peer beneath the surface of the ice cap. These data reveal that the ice, just over a mile thick, formed in a succession of layers as the climate alternated between warm and cold. Our planet avoids mood swings like this in part because its spin is stabilized by a massive moon. Mars' spin is not, so it can really wobble, with the pole tilting toward the sun for long periods. New observations by the MRO spacecraft show that these wobbles can lead to dramatic releases of CO2, and warming periods due to an increase in the greenhouse effect.