Ultimate Mars Challenge (NOVA Series)

Gr 9 Up—NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission, a decade-long project to land a sophisticated rover named Curiosity on the Martian surface, is showcased in this production. Equipped with a multitude of scientific instruments, Curiosity was tasked to search for evidence of past life on the red planet, notably carbon molecules and signs of liquid water. Through the combined efforts of geologists, engineers, and other scientists, the successful landing began yielding valuable data in August 2012. Interviews with the scientists detail the painstaking process of designing a robotic scientific laboratory that can operate on another planet. For example, a catastrophic parachute failure led to numerous tests in a NASA wind tunnel. The scientists all show great passion for the project, and female viewers may be inspired especially by Jaime Waydo, the mechanical systems engineer who led the mobility system team. The images returned from the rover should awaken the inner explorer in many viewers. The program makes extensive use of computer animation to illustrate the Martian landscape and to demonstrate the rover's functionality. The male narration is clear, and music helps maintain interest. Overall, this production should interest students studying the solar system and demonstrates how dedication and thorough scientific testing can overcome many challenges.—Ryan Henry, Daviess County Public Library, Owensboro, KY