Next on NOVA: "MARS Dead or Alive" (Repeat)

http://www.pbs.org/nova/mars/

Broadcast: July 12, 2005 at 8 p.m. ET/PT

(NOVA airs Tuesdays on PBS at 8 p.m. Check your local listings.)

This week's NOVA goes behind the scenes to document the
tension-filled process of building, testing, final checking out, and
launching of a pair of NASA rovers designed to be robotic geologists
on Mars. Engineers face a tight deadline as Mars approaches its
closest rendezvous with Earth. They're stretched to the limit as
parachutes rip, bolts fail, and airbags deflate. Watch them apply
all their ingenuity to overcome the technical hitches, and witness
the excitement at NASA as the first rover finally touches down on
the red planet.

Here's what you'll find on the companion Web site:

Inquiry, Interview, and Overview

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

Man on a Mission
Steve Squyres, the lead scientist who dreamed up the rovers,
reveals his hopes and fears for the mission.

Explore the Red Planet
See some of the finest images ever taken of the martian surface.

Video and Interactives

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

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 scientific instruments.

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

Resources

Watch the Program
View the one-hour program online.

NOVA News Minutes
Watch two news clips related to NASA's Mars rover mission.

Also, a list of links and books, a teacher's guide, and the program
transcript

http://www.pbs.org/nova/mars/