|
National Geographic Destination Space
|
| 00:00:01 |
Ten... nine... |
| 00:00:02 |
I think it is human destiny |
| 00:00:07 |
In the new race to space it's just |
| 00:00:11 |
Some will go for adventure. |
| 00:00:13 |
If you go and you ask people |
| 00:00:16 |
the answer is the same. |
| 00:00:17 |
I want to experience zero g. |
| 00:00:19 |
And then you want to just float around |
| 00:00:23 |
And I want to see the view. |
| 00:00:24 |
...six... five... |
| 00:00:26 |
Some will find that every dream |
| 00:00:29 |
Space is a hostile, dangerous place. |
| 00:00:32 |
Because I was expecting |
| 00:00:36 |
I mean, where the air would |
| 00:00:39 |
Others will seek their fortunes. |
| 00:00:41 |
What we really need are filling |
| 00:00:43 |
...quatre... trois... |
| 00:00:45 |
And yet others will search for answers |
| 00:00:49 |
We get signals all the time here, |
| 00:00:51 |
I mean we've got this huge antenna |
| 00:00:53 |
we've got this very |
| 00:00:54 |
of course we pick up signals |
| 00:00:57 |
Every couple of seconds, |
| 00:01:00 |
...two... one... |
| 00:01:04 |
At the dawn of a new century, |
| 00:01:09 |
I think today we are entering |
| 00:01:13 |
I want to see the moon of course... |
| 00:01:15 |
Space... |
| 00:01:17 |
And I'd like to look down |
| 00:01:19 |
What's coming next may be |
| 00:01:25 |
Destination Space |
| 00:02:13 |
In July of 1969, |
| 00:02:16 |
half a million people of all races |
| 00:02:22 |
Some trek for days and camp out |
| 00:02:26 |
that was almost unimaginable |
| 00:02:31 |
It isn't a march to protest |
| 00:02:35 |
or a rock concert in upstate New York. |
| 00:02:37 |
It is Apollo 11. |
| 00:02:40 |
On a small strip of the Florida Coast... |
| 00:02:42 |
three astronauts prepare |
| 00:02:53 |
They are only minutes |
| 00:02:55 |
from attempting the greatest venture |
| 00:03:28 |
But as Apollo 11 tears itself from |
| 00:03:34 |
no one is certain if the mission |
| 00:03:48 |
Every step of the voyage |
| 00:03:52 |
But most harrowing is the stage |
| 00:03:54 |
never before attempted-landing |
| 00:03:58 |
So risky is this venture, |
| 00:04:02 |
in case the lunar lander |
| 00:04:05 |
Altitude 4,200. |
| 00:04:06 |
Go for landing, over. |
| 00:04:09 |
As Armstrong and Aldrin |
| 00:04:12 |
they realize the flight computer is |
| 00:04:16 |
Armstrong seizes control, |
| 00:04:19 |
more than 1,000 feet away. |
| 00:04:21 |
Picking up some dust... |
| 00:04:26 |
turn to the right a little |
| 00:04:31 |
...30 seconds... |
| 00:04:35 |
contact light |
| 00:04:38 |
We copy you down, Eagle. |
| 00:04:41 |
Only seconds of fuel remain |
| 00:04:45 |
Tranquility Base here. |
| 00:04:47 |
The Eagle has landed. |
| 00:04:48 |
In the history of humanity, a few, |
| 00:04:51 |
rare moments are so transcendent |
| 00:04:57 |
Okay Neil, we can see you coming down |
| 00:05:00 |
On July 20, 1969, |
| 00:05:02 |
600 million people-a sixth of |
| 00:05:06 |
watch transfixed as the first human |
| 00:05:11 |
That's one small step for man, |
| 00:05:32 |
These were the glory days |
| 00:05:37 |
Nothing was easier to imagine than |
| 00:05:46 |
But then something changed. |
| 00:05:48 |
We lost interest. |
| 00:05:50 |
Just nine months after |
| 00:05:54 |
television networks broadcast |
| 00:05:59 |
It took an explosion onboard |
| 00:06:02 |
to grab our attention. |
| 00:06:05 |
Houston, we have a problem. |
| 00:06:06 |
Standby 13, we're looking at it. |
| 00:06:11 |
The space program again |
| 00:06:14 |
after Apollo 13 returned safely. |
| 00:06:23 |
In 1986, NASA tried to rekindle |
| 00:06:27 |
by demonstrating that it was |
| 00:06:30 |
They flew Christa McAuliffe, |
| 00:06:34 |
aboard the shuttle Challenger. |
| 00:06:35 |
And lift-off of the |
| 00:06:36 |
and it has cleared the tower. |
| 00:06:43 |
Much of the nation, including |
| 00:06:46 |
watched in horror as the disaster |
| 00:06:54 |
Go ahead. |
| 00:06:54 |
RSO reports vehicle exploded |
| 00:07:00 |
Okay, are there any forces |
| 00:07:03 |
Yes, sir, DOD also reports that |
| 00:07:06 |
and they are on their way. |
| 00:07:10 |
The world began to wonder if space |
| 00:07:18 |
Now, at the turn of the 21st century, |
| 00:07:21 |
we find ourselves clinging to a small |
| 00:07:26 |
And it's a tired, tattered one. |
| 00:07:30 |
The Russian space station Mir |
| 00:07:34 |
but has been made to serve |
| 00:07:38 |
Mir has aged into a balky old vehicle. |
| 00:07:41 |
Systems switch on and off |
| 00:07:50 |
As American astronauts would discover, |
| 00:07:55 |
it had become downright dangerous. |
| 00:08:01 |
Some are drawn to space because |
| 00:08:06 |
others crave the raw experience. |
| 00:08:11 |
Children from all walks |
| 00:08:16 |
but few have the persistence |
| 00:08:23 |
This is a moment that takes me back |
| 00:08:25 |
and I first decided that |
| 00:08:28 |
This is looking up at your rocket. |
| 00:08:30 |
This sends shivers down my spine |
| 00:08:35 |
NASA astronaut Michael Foale |
| 00:08:38 |
the son of a royal air force pilot |
| 00:08:41 |
While on a childhood |
| 00:08:43 |
Foale saw John Glenn's capsule |
| 00:08:47 |
From that moment, |
| 00:08:55 |
Foale was accepted into |
| 00:08:59 |
He stood out even among |
| 00:09:08 |
On his third shuttle mission, |
| 00:09:10 |
Foale and his crewmates circled |
| 00:09:15 |
Foale instantly felt its allure. |
| 00:09:19 |
At that time I can remember seeing |
| 00:09:22 |
and she would wave and say, "Hey, |
| 00:09:26 |
And, I said, "With pleasure," |
| 00:09:27 |
and that was about the limit of |
| 00:09:31 |
unfortunately we couldn't stop |
| 00:09:33 |
We had to back away. |
| 00:09:33 |
And I said, "Some other time." |
| 00:09:37 |
Mir has its grip on Foale. |
| 00:09:39 |
In two years he will return, the fifth |
| 00:09:52 |
In his more than four months onboard, |
| 00:09:54 |
Michael Foale will learn that Mir is a |
| 00:10:00 |
He will experience the terror of space |
| 00:10:07 |
The great attraction of space |
| 00:10:09 |
that is sort of the incubator |
| 00:10:14 |
And the mysteries of existence, |
| 00:10:19 |
the presence of, call it a god, |
| 00:10:23 |
And I think one of the motives |
| 00:10:26 |
or studying space is trying to |
| 00:10:32 |
One astronomer's obsession |
| 00:10:35 |
drives him to the remote hills |
| 00:10:42 |
Twice a year, Seth Shostak travels |
| 00:10:47 |
to listen for signs of |
| 00:10:51 |
Sharp cuts in funding and years |
| 00:10:55 |
have done nothing to deter Shostak. |
| 00:10:57 |
For him, the search itself |
| 00:11:00 |
You know, it's like that carrot |
| 00:11:03 |
because that carrot seems to be |
| 00:11:05 |
Every year we do this, |
| 00:11:07 |
we can check out a few more |
| 00:11:11 |
I wouldn't do it if I didn't think |
| 00:11:14 |
that within my lifetime |
| 00:11:17 |
that tells us what we want to know. |
| 00:11:19 |
Are we alone? |
| 00:11:26 |
Are they like us? |
| 00:11:40 |
Every previous generation |
| 00:11:43 |
They looked up and they wondered |
| 00:11:48 |
I can be a member of |
| 00:11:50 |
that can actually look back up |
| 00:11:51 |
and maybe find out if |
| 00:11:54 |
Built by Cornell University and the |
| 00:11:59 |
the 1,000-foot diameter |
| 00:12:02 |
is one of the most sensitive on earth. |
| 00:12:04 |
For Shostak, |
| 00:12:07 |
tuned to the murmurings of the cosmos. |
| 00:12:10 |
This little speck of metal |
| 00:12:13 |
that might be coming from |
| 00:12:15 |
It's like a tin can with a string |
| 00:12:21 |
We could hear a cellphone on Jupiter, |
| 00:12:24 |
That's how sensitive this system is. |
| 00:12:26 |
What we're listening for is not |
| 00:12:28 |
but their equipment, if you will. |
| 00:12:30 |
We're listening for a transmitter. |
| 00:12:32 |
We're not asking of the aliens that |
| 00:12:35 |
ala the star ship Enterprise |
| 00:12:39 |
We're only asking that |
| 00:12:42 |
that any teenager could put together |
| 00:12:45 |
and use a decent size antenna. |
| 00:12:53 |
Two years after seeing Mir |
| 00:12:56 |
Foale joins its Russian crew for |
| 00:13:01 |
He is replacing |
| 00:13:04 |
who appears eager to leave. |
| 00:13:06 |
Hi, Mike, welcome to your new home. |
| 00:13:16 |
Foale knows that a fire broke out |
| 00:13:20 |
and that the ship's cooling system |
| 00:13:24 |
The hatch closed, and I thought, |
| 00:13:30 |
And at that very moment, |
| 00:13:34 |
in Russian, because they didn't |
| 00:13:38 |
"Well, Mike, |
| 00:13:43 |
And so began my time on Mir. |
| 00:13:47 |
A joke by commander Vasily Tsibliyev, |
| 00:13:49 |
meant to both welcome |
| 00:13:52 |
The Russians understand |
| 00:13:55 |
and they want to know if this rookie |
| 00:14:04 |
It proves a fair warning. |
| 00:14:06 |
Foale has embarked on one of |
| 00:14:09 |
in the history of exploration. |
| 00:14:12 |
In space, it is a narrow margin |
| 00:14:20 |
Orbiting 250 miles above earth, |
| 00:14:26 |
a frontier port where men and women |
| 00:14:31 |
But records aren't broken |
| 00:14:38 |
Mike Foale's first weeks on Mir |
| 00:14:43 |
But one month into the mission, |
| 00:14:47 |
engineer Sasha Lazutkin |
| 00:14:51 |
prepare to test |
| 00:14:55 |
Vasily will use a |
| 00:14:58 |
to guide this supply ship of |
| 00:15:03 |
But as the eight-ton |
| 00:15:05 |
it becomes more difficult to track. |
| 00:15:09 |
Vasily is flying blind. |
| 00:15:11 |
He calls to his crewmates, |
| 00:15:12 |
telling them to look for |
| 00:15:17 |
Foale and Sasha can't see |
| 00:15:21 |
Vasily fears the Progress |
| 00:15:24 |
He applies reverse thrusters. |
| 00:15:27 |
But to no avail. |
| 00:15:29 |
Seconds pass. |
| 00:15:32 |
Then suddenly, |
| 00:15:38 |
It's out of control |
| 00:15:42 |
Sasha orders Foale |
| 00:15:46 |
So I flew through the air from the |
| 00:15:51 |
I felt this big kathump. |
| 00:15:56 |
Air starts to rush out of Mir. |
| 00:15:58 |
I then felt the pressure |
| 00:16:00 |
I thought, |
| 00:16:03 |
The adrenaline was |
| 00:16:05 |
because I was expecting |
| 00:16:09 |
I mean, where the air |
| 00:16:12 |
you know, if you get sucked out |
| 00:16:16 |
My immediate thought was, |
| 00:16:19 |
We have all got to get into |
| 00:16:24 |
Mir's pressure alarm blares. |
| 00:16:26 |
If they can't seal the breach |
| 00:16:28 |
Foale and his crewmates |
| 00:16:38 |
Throughout history, |
| 00:16:39 |
explorers and pioneers |
| 00:16:44 |
Vasco da Gama, Columbus and Magellan |
| 00:16:48 |
to blaze trails into the unknown. |
| 00:16:52 |
On the heels of heroes |
| 00:16:56 |
Companies are now chasing profits |
| 00:17:00 |
is woven into the fabric of |
| 00:17:07 |
Getting these satellites into orbit |
| 00:17:12 |
In the race for money, |
| 00:17:15 |
to unlikely places around the globe. |
| 00:17:18 |
When it comes to launches, |
| 00:17:28 |
Built in 1968, a space center has |
| 00:17:34 |
The space center is not only |
| 00:17:35 |
playing the role of |
| 00:17:40 |
but it's playing also the role |
| 00:17:44 |
Because here is a melting pot |
| 00:17:49 |
The space center has given an economic |
| 00:18:00 |
From the coastal jungle, a French-led |
| 00:18:04 |
has carved out one of the most |
| 00:18:13 |
We are situated here in French Guiana |
| 00:18:15 |
simply because this is |
| 00:18:18 |
for launching commercial satellites. |
| 00:18:22 |
Competitors who launch farther from |
| 00:18:25 |
to lift their payloads into |
| 00:18:32 |
From Kourou, French Guiana, |
| 00:18:34 |
a satellite has a shorter and |
| 00:18:42 |
We have the most reliable launcher |
| 00:18:48 |
We launch every month, |
| 00:18:54 |
And demand just keeps growing. |
| 00:18:56 |
It will take several years |
| 00:18:58 |
to work through its backlog |
| 00:19:02 |
While we are signing a contract |
| 00:19:05 |
a satellite is being shipped |
| 00:19:08 |
The launcher for that satellite |
| 00:19:12 |
And while we are readying |
| 00:19:14 |
another launcher is being assembled, |
| 00:19:16 |
and a third launcher is being shipped |
| 00:19:21 |
So it's a permanent year-long |
| 00:19:29 |
We bring your own customers here |
| 00:19:33 |
we bring your engineers to process |
| 00:19:38 |
and we do the full service |
| 00:19:44 |
That's our business. |
| 00:19:47 |
The customer comes first |
| 00:19:51 |
So, Arianespace has mastered the art |
| 00:19:56 |
Jungle boat cruise, anyone? |
| 00:19:59 |
After a day of sightseeing, it's time |
| 00:20:04 |
a communications satellite worth |
| 00:20:08 |
at just the right spot 22,000 miles |
| 00:20:13 |
The night of the launch, |
| 00:20:16 |
where they can relax |
| 00:20:19 |
Bienvenue a Kourou... |
| 00:20:21 |
Greetings everybody wherever you |
| 00:20:24 |
the home of Ariane for tonight's live |
| 00:20:29 |
launching... for Panam Sat... this evening... |
| 00:20:32 |
The show's gonna be a good one. |
| 00:20:33 |
We hope you'll stay with us. |
| 00:20:34 |
The ground crew is under pressure to |
| 00:20:40 |
And I have to say it's |
| 00:20:43 |
when you have once a month |
| 00:20:47 |
and all these people working on it. |
| 00:21:30 |
Another successful launch. |
| 00:21:34 |
And so the party begins in earnest. |
| 00:21:46 |
Being on the equator |
| 00:21:49 |
is such a tremendous advantage |
| 00:21:51 |
that our competitors are desperately |
| 00:21:59 |
To compete with Arianespace, |
| 00:22:01 |
a secretive rival will journey to one |
| 00:22:06 |
Using extraordinary gear |
| 00:22:10 |
they will create their own |
| 00:22:14 |
in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. |
| 00:22:21 |
In Long Beach, California a company |
| 00:22:25 |
has assembled a dream team |
| 00:22:29 |
Their mission: to launch satellites |
| 00:22:34 |
Mission Director Steve Thelin marvels |
| 00:22:39 |
I mean, who ever thought |
| 00:22:41 |
launching Western-style spacecraft |
| 00:22:45 |
on a Norwegian platform |
| 00:22:48 |
I mean, this is really cool. |
| 00:22:50 |
Sea Launch uses a rocket |
| 00:22:52 |
originally designed to fire nuclear |
| 00:22:57 |
Today, it carries a payload |
| 00:23:01 |
a telecommunications satellite. |
| 00:23:05 |
Sea Launch will journey |
| 00:23:08 |
to a spot on the equator |
| 00:23:13 |
Two vessels will make the expedition. |
| 00:23:15 |
One is an oil platform, converted |
| 00:23:21 |
The other-a specially built command |
| 00:23:25 |
Ukrainian and American engineers and |
| 00:23:31 |
Relations are good on |
| 00:23:35 |
The Russians are just |
| 00:23:36 |
It's just an honor to be working with them. |
| 00:23:39 |
Some of the best rocket scientists |
| 00:23:42 |
It's neat to see the past come |
| 00:23:49 |
The state-of-the-art |
| 00:23:51 |
is actually two control rooms in one. |
| 00:23:55 |
Russian-speaking specialists |
| 00:23:58 |
English-speaking Americans |
| 00:24:03 |
Coordination must be seamless |
| 00:24:10 |
A similar collaboration was put to |
| 00:24:19 |
With air pressure dropping |
| 00:24:22 |
the two Russians and |
| 00:24:24 |
to close off a punctured module |
| 00:24:28 |
But cables block a hatchway |
| 00:24:31 |
These cables now that were |
| 00:24:33 |
there's about 18 of them, |
| 00:24:34 |
were like big snakes, |
| 00:24:37 |
So Sasha'd pass the cable to me |
| 00:24:40 |
With the passageway finally cleared, |
| 00:24:44 |
As soon as it went into place, |
| 00:24:48 |
it kind of went "pfffp" and sucked in. |
| 00:24:51 |
And at that point I really felt |
| 00:24:54 |
They've closed off the leaking module, |
| 00:24:56 |
but Mir is now crippled as they |
| 00:25:00 |
Now the station, which was tumbling, |
| 00:25:03 |
hadn't been able to orient |
| 00:25:06 |
and we had basically used up |
| 00:25:11 |
And so all of the lights |
| 00:25:12 |
the fans went off |
| 00:25:14 |
and we lost communications |
| 00:25:18 |
Foale and his crewmates face |
| 00:25:22 |
Without power they have no heaters, |
| 00:25:28 |
For the first time, |
| 00:25:34 |
Really, ironically, |
| 00:25:37 |
memorable experience I ever had |
| 00:25:40 |
because we were passing over |
| 00:25:44 |
towards Antarctica and there were |
| 00:25:50 |
shimmering across the curve |
| 00:25:54 |
and we kind of would just float there |
| 00:25:55 |
in front of the window, |
| 00:26:07 |
Russians and Americans at Sea Launch |
| 00:26:12 |
Already fueled, the satellite payload |
| 00:26:17 |
Then, the Sea Launch crew |
| 00:26:18 |
Cautiously transfers the rocket |
| 00:26:23 |
The Russians insisted on |
| 00:26:26 |
because of its extra margin of safety. |
| 00:26:28 |
All personnel will evacuate the |
| 00:26:42 |
The rocket is safely cradled |
| 00:26:46 |
Sea Launch is now ready for the |
| 00:26:56 |
In the age-old sea-faring tradition, |
| 00:26:59 |
Sea Launch's voyage to the equator |
| 00:27:01 |
begins with a farewell party |
| 00:27:03 |
Future rocket scientist! |
| 00:27:05 |
Friends and loved ones come to see |
| 00:27:09 |
Steve Thelin will be away from |
| 00:27:17 |
The two Sea Launch vessels set out |
| 00:27:30 |
At sea, Russians, Norwegians, and |
| 00:27:36 |
The dining room offers |
| 00:27:39 |
And each nationality gravitates |
| 00:27:43 |
The Norwegian captain, Tormod Hansen, |
| 00:27:45 |
was initially skeptical of |
| 00:27:48 |
When I first heard about it, |
| 00:27:52 |
I didn't really believe it. |
| 00:27:55 |
Russian rockets being launched |
| 00:28:00 |
The combination of |
| 00:28:03 |
and a Norwegian marine? |
| 00:28:05 |
I thought it was a little bit unreal. |
| 00:28:11 |
But after 10 days at sea, |
| 00:28:15 |
Sea Launch is nearing its destination. |
| 00:28:18 |
Everyone is of one mind-all |
| 00:28:20 |
are totally focused on blasting |
| 00:28:26 |
The launch platform now sits |
| 00:28:29 |
There is no more efficient launch |
| 00:28:35 |
We have such accurate station |
| 00:28:37 |
The platform is right on the equator. |
| 00:28:39 |
You can literally come out here |
| 00:28:42 |
from one end of the ship to |
| 00:28:43 |
and cross the equator. |
| 00:28:46 |
Huge pumps flood |
| 00:28:49 |
with 19,000 tons of seawater. |
| 00:28:52 |
It settles 70 feet into the sea, |
| 00:28:58 |
The crew rolls the rocket out |
| 00:29:00 |
onto the deck of the launch platform. |
| 00:29:07 |
They slowly erect the 200-foot rocket. |
| 00:29:20 |
A bridge connects the two ships. |
| 00:29:22 |
The crew from the launch platform |
| 00:29:25 |
in preparation for |
| 00:29:32 |
The command ship sails three miles away |
| 00:29:39 |
As liftoff time nears, |
| 00:29:45 |
The captain of the launch platform |
| 00:29:59 |
Steve Thelin and his international |
| 00:30:02 |
then double check, every system. |
| 00:30:04 |
Op support. Marine operations. |
| 00:30:12 |
Sea Launch has a one-second |
| 00:30:15 |
if they're to place the satellite |
| 00:30:22 |
Months of preparation and thousands of |
| 00:30:27 |
Can the team do everything perfectly- |
| 00:30:32 |
It's a very high level of intensity. |
| 00:30:33 |
Basically I focus on what's going on, |
| 00:30:37 |
The concentration it takes, |
| 00:30:39 |
the butterflies you get |
| 00:30:43 |
Ten... nine... eight... seven... six... five... |
| 00:31:19 |
We have a lift-off. |
| 00:31:22 |
All looks good at blast-off. |
| 00:31:24 |
But then something goes |
| 00:31:28 |
One hundred and forty miles |
| 00:31:30 |
the rocket shuts down prematurely- |
| 00:31:38 |
A software glitch may have caused |
| 00:31:43 |
dooming the mission. |
| 00:31:49 |
It's a costly set back, |
| 00:31:53 |
but Sea Launch |
| 00:32:03 |
Nothing about rockets is easy. |
| 00:32:05 |
Defying gravity remains |
| 00:32:12 |
Many are pursuing radically new ideas |
| 00:32:17 |
Just a few months ago, |
| 00:32:18 |
I got all these proposals |
| 00:32:23 |
crazy mechanisms for one of NASAs |
| 00:32:28 |
that may one day take us |
| 00:32:31 |
I laughed to myself a bit. |
| 00:32:32 |
There are serious physicists making |
| 00:32:37 |
making a shot in the dark because |
| 00:32:40 |
to go to the distant planets. |
| 00:32:46 |
Like others who hope to |
| 00:32:49 |
propulsion physicist Leik Myrabo |
| 00:32:54 |
Sputnik and also Echo |
| 00:32:58 |
My grandmother got me up out of bed |
| 00:33:01 |
and brought me outside |
| 00:33:03 |
one of these first satellites |
| 00:33:06 |
And it was just astounding. |
| 00:33:07 |
It was an amazing experience. |
| 00:33:11 |
With NASA backing, Myrabo has traveled |
| 00:33:16 |
Here, he will test |
| 00:33:19 |
can be used to push specially |
| 00:33:24 |
Science fiction writers have been |
| 00:33:29 |
ultra thin sails, |
| 00:33:32 |
covered with reflective surfaces |
| 00:33:40 |
We're actually testing five new laser |
| 00:33:43 |
Now the sails aren't very big. |
| 00:33:45 |
They're only about a couple of |
| 00:33:48 |
But what we're doing is we're flooding |
| 00:33:50 |
that with 10 to 100,000 watts |
| 00:33:55 |
This is a ferocious environment |
| 00:33:57 |
we don't know how well |
| 00:33:59 |
And until you actually do tests |
| 00:34:02 |
you don't know where you stand. |
| 00:34:04 |
And that's what these tests are about. |
| 00:34:05 |
So it's incredibly exciting. |
| 00:34:10 |
Yeah, this is brand new. |
| 00:34:13 |
The weight of these sail materials |
| 00:34:16 |
I mean, we're talking about |
| 00:34:21 |
Will it burn up? |
| 00:34:22 |
You know, will it just |
| 00:34:24 |
to the bottom of the vacuum tank? |
| 00:34:25 |
We don't know. |
| 00:34:27 |
But we are simulating |
| 00:34:29 |
It's evacuated to an incredibly |
| 00:34:35 |
If these delicate prototypes |
| 00:34:39 |
Myrabo's dream of a starship |
| 00:34:44 |
will be one step closer to reality. |
| 00:34:46 |
Run number one. |
| 00:34:47 |
Pendulum number one. |
| 00:34:50 |
Ready to arm... |
| 00:34:59 |
four... three... two... one... |
| 00:35:17 |
Incredibly, it works. |
| 00:35:20 |
The force of light alone has pushed |
| 00:35:23 |
the miniature sail |
| 00:35:25 |
This is good. Very good. |
| 00:35:39 |
A real laser sailcraft would require |
| 00:35:45 |
Much of the work might take place |
| 00:35:49 |
Thousands of solar-powered lasers |
| 00:35:54 |
Each laser would be rolled out |
| 00:35:57 |
where it would be packaged |
| 00:36:19 |
A railway lined with |
| 00:36:21 |
would accelerate the laser |
| 00:36:48 |
The laser slows as it approaches |
| 00:36:50 |
a gargantuan array of lasers |
| 00:36:58 |
A worker fits the new laser |
| 00:37:07 |
Nearby, in earth orbit, |
| 00:37:15 |
Half a mile across, |
| 00:37:17 |
it might carry a robot craft |
| 00:37:35 |
When the laser array is complete, |
| 00:37:37 |
100 billion watts of light |
| 00:37:44 |
Bouncing off the sail, |
| 00:37:48 |
The craft gradually picks up speed. |
| 00:37:54 |
It passes Jupiter, |
| 00:37:58 |
it could approach another star |
| 00:38:04 |
Near the end of its mission, |
| 00:38:05 |
a smaller sail carrying |
| 00:38:21 |
The small sail slows, |
| 00:38:23 |
perhaps to enter orbit around |
| 00:38:31 |
But we are decades away |
| 00:38:34 |
that Leik Myrabo is pioneering. |
| 00:38:39 |
Today, it's still an overwhelming task |
| 00:38:54 |
After sealing the punctured module |
| 00:38:57 |
the top priority for Michael Foale and |
| 00:39:09 |
Vasily fires thrusters |
| 00:39:13 |
He points the station's solar panels |
| 00:39:16 |
in order to recharge its batteries. |
| 00:39:18 |
But time and again, |
| 00:39:24 |
Nothing is easy in space. |
| 00:39:35 |
Space is a hostile, dangerous place- |
| 00:39:38 |
more dangerous than anyplace |
| 00:39:45 |
And there are a lot of places on earth |
| 00:39:46 |
that have killed people, |
| 00:39:48 |
There's a lot one has to overcome. |
| 00:39:51 |
When Columbus sailed the ocean blue, |
| 00:39:56 |
Astronauts have radiation storms |
| 00:39:59 |
micrometeorites that can pierce |
| 00:40:03 |
They're going to be facing |
| 00:40:07 |
On Mir, the crew grows exhausted. |
| 00:40:10 |
They seem cursed. |
| 00:40:12 |
Each time they resolve one crisis, |
| 00:40:16 |
Sasha accidentally unplugs the |
| 00:40:24 |
Russian ground controllers decide |
| 00:40:29 |
And we kind of did really relax. |
| 00:40:30 |
We actually watched one or two movies. |
| 00:40:32 |
We watched Apollo 13 |
| 00:40:36 |
which I translated for them. |
| 00:40:38 |
But as his tour on Mir draws to an |
| 00:40:46 |
On September 27, 1997, he watches |
| 00:40:54 |
Even though I should be relaxing |
| 00:40:55 |
and just looking forward |
| 00:40:57 |
I was starting to become quite tense |
| 00:41:00 |
that the shuttle wouldn't be able |
| 00:41:05 |
because of one of these |
| 00:41:11 |
I saw this beautiful sight rising up |
| 00:41:16 |
so slowly compared to the Progress, |
| 00:41:22 |
with hardly any immediate motion |
| 00:41:26 |
between each change that |
| 00:41:30 |
join up perfectly to our docking port. |
| 00:41:33 |
And this enormous relief |
| 00:41:39 |
And at that point, I knew I was home. |
| 00:41:44 |
Home. |
| 00:41:50 |
As he pulls away from Mir, |
| 00:41:52 |
Foale takes what may be |
| 00:42:00 |
After more than |
| 00:42:03 |
that challenged |
| 00:42:06 |
Foale now hopes for |
| 00:42:22 |
He returns to a vibrant world, |
| 00:42:25 |
one filled with color |
| 00:42:34 |
In the middle of the Mojave Desert |
| 00:42:37 |
who may well profit from space travel. |
| 00:42:40 |
His name is Burt Rutan. |
| 00:42:42 |
That's a dog. How about a duck? |
| 00:42:48 |
Rutan thinks-and lives- |
| 00:42:54 |
Rutan's edge designs |
| 00:42:58 |
And he's enjoying the ride. |
| 00:43:03 |
Work? I haven't worked since 1974. |
| 00:43:09 |
This is all play. |
| 00:43:11 |
A simple concept, actually. |
| 00:43:14 |
People have fun, |
| 00:43:25 |
Rutan runs Scaled Composites, |
| 00:43:28 |
a company that designs and builds |
| 00:43:35 |
One of Rutan's latest projects |
| 00:43:39 |
First, throw out the rulebook. |
| 00:43:44 |
The result is his plane Proteus. |
| 00:43:48 |
This spindly craft can carry a one- |
| 00:43:53 |
11 miles into the air. |
| 00:44:03 |
Proteus might one day |
| 00:44:08 |
When the aircraft reaches altitude, |
| 00:44:12 |
blast into orbit under its own power, |
| 00:44:47 |
It's looking good. |
| 00:44:47 |
Powers are great. |
| 00:44:49 |
I'm going to |
| 00:44:51 |
Controls are alive, feeling good. |
| 00:44:58 |
Gears coming... 110 would be |
| 00:45:05 |
If your ambition is to do |
| 00:45:09 |
you want to go to altitude, |
| 00:45:10 |
to show whoever wants to go up there, |
| 00:45:12 |
and I want to go too, |
| 00:45:17 |
And then you want to just |
| 00:45:20 |
and just enjoy this-weightless. |
| 00:45:23 |
You know, bring your house cat |
| 00:45:26 |
you want to do for this time |
| 00:45:28 |
You know, you just can't do that |
| 00:45:30 |
But if you're single or cat-free, |
| 00:45:37 |
Who wants to be the first |
| 00:45:40 |
while they're sipping a martini- |
| 00:45:42 |
r maybe there are people out there |
| 00:45:45 |
I don't have enough money to do it. |
| 00:45:47 |
Perhaps if I did, |
| 00:45:49 |
But the question is not whether |
| 00:45:51 |
but there's enough interest |
| 00:45:53 |
and to drive the industry to invent |
| 00:45:57 |
Remember the people used to ask |
| 00:46:00 |
Why in God's name |
| 00:46:02 |
How practical could that possibly be? |
| 00:46:06 |
This whole notion of space tourism |
| 00:46:08 |
is really a chance to get |
| 00:46:11 |
where there are thousands of launches, |
| 00:46:14 |
people designing new vehicles, |
| 00:46:17 |
And we go from sub-orbital flights |
| 00:46:21 |
and onto the moon, |
| 00:46:25 |
Hi, guys. Good morning, |
| 00:46:27 |
I'm the chairman of the X-Prize. |
| 00:46:28 |
Peter Diamandis is offering |
| 00:46:31 |
to the potential Lindberghs |
| 00:46:34 |
So, we're looking for a new generation |
| 00:46:38 |
who can go and build launch vehicles |
| 00:46:42 |
We're trying to make this |
| 00:46:44 |
with the parachute in here |
| 00:46:48 |
He is holding out a prize to any kid |
| 00:46:52 |
that will safely return its fragile |
| 00:46:58 |
What we're trying to do here is to |
| 00:47:03 |
and feel the competitive spirit |
| 00:47:07 |
and get into it so that |
| 00:47:10 |
It's really neat to look at |
| 00:47:12 |
to know that the teachers here |
| 00:47:15 |
Everything they've designed here |
| 00:47:19 |
or their own imagination |
| 00:47:22 |
that they're getting their egg |
| 00:47:25 |
You're going to put your cup in there, |
| 00:47:29 |
They gotta design this vehicle that |
| 00:47:32 |
and they get the idea that |
| 00:47:39 |
Across town, students from another |
| 00:47:42 |
for the upcoming competition. |
| 00:47:45 |
One, Jaqui Rogers, |
| 00:47:51 |
The thing that surprised me about space |
| 00:47:56 |
And it was fascinating to me, |
| 00:47:58 |
because I learned that |
| 00:48:03 |
that Neil Armstrong's footprints |
| 00:48:09 |
And I learned about the craters |
| 00:48:13 |
Destiny Voyager is now complete. |
| 00:48:19 |
Launch day arrives. |
| 00:48:20 |
What we're going to do is |
| 00:48:22 |
a chance to put your eggstranauts |
| 00:48:24 |
And you should be done doing that |
| 00:48:26 |
by the time we get ready |
| 00:48:29 |
The pad and fuel prepared... |
| 00:48:32 |
Yeah. |
| 00:48:32 |
Everybody's got an eggstranaut? |
| 00:48:34 |
Yeah. |
| 00:48:35 |
Everybody's got fuel? |
| 00:48:36 |
And the future rocket cadre |
| 00:48:41 |
There you go. |
| 00:48:45 |
Unusual designs create their own |
| 00:48:49 |
This happens at NASA all the time, |
| 00:48:52 |
In fact, the shuttle was delayed |
| 00:48:53 |
because they had a bunch of |
| 00:48:55 |
Rocket is secure on the pad. |
| 00:48:58 |
All systems are go. |
| 00:48:59 |
The launch director receives |
| 00:49:03 |
Ten... nine... eight... seven... six... five... |
| 00:49:14 |
one. |
| 00:49:30 |
Launching these rockets is easy. |
| 00:49:39 |
Open up, open up... |
| 00:49:45 |
It's the landing that's hard. |
| 00:49:46 |
Sorry guys. |
| 00:49:51 |
Today's lesson? |
| 00:49:52 |
To become a rocket scientist, |
| 00:49:58 |
Excellent. |
| 00:49:58 |
Parachutes opened. |
| 00:50:00 |
Any one of these students could grow up |
| 00:50:06 |
Some may get the chance to leave earth- |
| 00:50:17 |
Whatever it is in our nature |
| 00:50:18 |
that drove us to the moon |
| 00:50:22 |
and will continue to spur humanity |
| 00:50:27 |
Jaqui Rogers. |
| 00:50:32 |
If I could go up into space, |
| 00:50:38 |
I would like to look down |
| 00:50:41 |
And Mars. |
| 00:50:43 |
I would like to find new things |
| 00:50:47 |
I want to see the moon, of course. |
| 00:50:49 |
And the first thing |
| 00:50:52 |
where Neil Armstrong left the flag, |
| 00:50:56 |
and that's the main thing that |
| 00:51:10 |
In terms of exploration, |
| 00:51:11 |
I think in 50 to 100 years we will have |
| 00:51:17 |
We'll have factories there. |
| 00:51:19 |
We'll have people who are living there. |
| 00:51:20 |
We'll have hotels there, of course. |
| 00:51:24 |
We'll have the first real self- |
| 00:51:27 |
But what makes me excited are going |
| 00:51:31 |
off planet, in free space colonies. |
| 00:51:40 |
I think it will be very much like |
| 00:51:43 |
where there were different groups |
| 00:51:45 |
and fantasizing about |
| 00:51:48 |
where the best next new worlds are. |
| 00:51:51 |
And that's the future |
| 00:51:56 |
I'm one of those explorers |
| 00:52:00 |
you know, |
| 00:52:04 |
To travel to distant stars and |
| 00:52:09 |
but we're not even close to |
| 00:52:13 |
Oh, in my day... to think of going up |
| 00:52:17 |
well that was out, |
| 00:52:21 |
No we'd never break the sound barrier. |
| 00:52:24 |
So you see how things are, can change. |
| 00:52:27 |
And then, would anybody ever |
| 00:52:31 |
Well, that was ridiculous. |
| 00:52:34 |
Well, we've gone to the moon. |
| 00:52:36 |
Is it our destiny to |
| 00:52:40 |
If it was once inconceivable |
| 00:52:43 |
What vaulting ambitions could become |
| 00:52:48 |
We have already begun |
| 00:52:51 |
that will carry us beyond the reach |
| 00:52:55 |
We are entering an era |
| 00:53:01 |
The cosmic perspective is inextricably |
| 00:53:07 |
of how tiny we are in this universe, |
| 00:53:09 |
how frail we are in this universe, |
| 00:53:12 |
combined with simply how big |
| 00:53:16 |
Now, that might sound depressing. |
| 00:53:18 |
For me, it's only |
| 00:53:21 |
With that knowledge, |
| 00:53:24 |
in this quest, to reach |
| 00:53:26 |
and then perhaps see |
