Mysteries of Apollo Season 1 Episode 6

Ep 6. NASA's Impossible Build

  • July 1, 2019

NASA's Impossible Build episode of Mysteries of Apollo Season 1 is a captivating look at the challenges NASA faces while exploring space. The episode explores the various breakthroughs that NASA has achieved in their journey to discover more about space, from Mars exploration to the Hubble telescope. It takes an in-depth look at the engineering challenges and the hurdles that NASA had to overcome to make their missions possible.

The episode starts by highlighting one of the most significant challenges that NASA faced - building a rover that could explore Mars. NASA had to overcome many technical and design challenges to create this rover, named Curiosity, which was the biggest, heaviest, and most advanced rover that the space agency had ever built. The show takes a detailed look at how NASA tackled this challenge and the various steps that they took to overcome the obstacles.

Another fascinating aspect covered in this episode is the Hubble Space Telescope, which was launched in 1990. The show takes the viewer through the background of the Hubble telescope and its importance in astronomical research. The Hubble has been instrumental in establishing the age of the universe, discovering new planets, studying black holes, and helping us understand the fate of galaxies. NASA faced several challenges during the design phase of the telescope, and the episode looks at these challenges in detail.

The difficulty of assembling, installing, and maintaining the Hubble telescope is explained in great detail. NASA had never attempted a mission like this before, and the show explores how they overcame the logistical challenges of launching and maintaining a telescope in space. It took five space shuttle missions, lasting 11 days each, to assemble the Hubble. The crew at NASA had to come up with innovative solutions to keep the telescope operational, including implementing several repairs over the years. The episode provides an in-depth look at the dedication and hard work required to maintain and operate the Hubble space telescope.

The episode concludes by exploring NASA's plans for deep space exploration and their attempts to overcome the challenges that come with it. One example of the innovative approaches taken is using inflatable habitats for astronauts to live in when exploring deep space. Inflatable structures are easier to transport and deploy in space, and they can provide a safe, protective environment for astronauts.

Overall, NASA's Impossible Build episode of Mysteries of Apollo provides an impressive look at the challenges NASA has faced while exploring space. The episode highlights how the space agency has overcome these challenges by pushing the boundaries of science and technology. It is an inspiring look at how dedicated scientists, engineers, and astronauts have worked tirelessly to expand our understanding of the universe.

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Description
  • First Aired
    July 1, 2019
  • Language
    English