Ep 2. Mission to the Red Planet

Mission to the Red Planet is the second episode of season 4 of the popular science documentary series Space's Deepest Secrets. In this episode, the focus is on the Red Planet, Mars, and our continued efforts to learn more about this neighbor planet. Hosted by David O'Brien, the show follows NASA's newest mission, the Mars 2020, which aims to conduct a thorough exploration of Mars.

The episode begins with David introducing the audience to the significance of Mars to humans and how the curiosity regarding the planet has been there for centuries. He explains how the planet has captured imaginations for centuries, with some even believing that there could be life on Mars.

The show then dives into the specifics of NASA's Mars 2020 mission. It covers how the spacecraft will reach Mars, the various scientific instruments on board, including the Perseverance Rover, and the mission's underlying goals of finding signs of past microbial life on Mars.

David then introduces Linda Spilker, the project scientist for the Cassini-Huygens mission that explored Saturn and its moons, who talks about how the mission to Mars started. She explains that NASA's Mars program was initially created to explore the planet and understand its geography, geology, and climate. Over time, curiosity grew about the possibility of life on Mars, which led to the development of missions that could explore the planet's interior.

The show then delves into the technicalities of the Mars 2020 mission, including the challenges of landing the spacecraft on the planet's surface. David discusses the difficulties of the landing process, and how NASA engineers have implemented new technologies, like the "Sky Crane" to ensure a safe landing.

Next, David speaks with Rob Manning, the Chief Engineer for the Mars 2020 project. Rob explains how the rover will work, and how it will collect and store samples from Mars. The show also talks about the various challenges posed by Mars' harsh environment, including the harsh sandstorms, dust, radiation exposure, and the thin atmosphere.

Throughout the episode, experts and scientists provide insight on how the Perseverance Rover will play a crucial role in the Mars mission. The show discusses the rover's new, cutting-edge technology that will help it study and analyze the planet's rock samples. The show also demonstrates how the rover is equipped with a drilling system to collect rock and soil samples from Mars.

Lastly, the episode talks about the most exciting part of the mission, the search for evidence of past microbial life on Mars. The show details the planned landing location for the Rover, Jezero Crater, and how the Perseverance Rover will collect and store samples in preparation for future research and analysis.

Overall, Mission to the Red Planet is an informative and engaging episode of Space's Deepest Secrets, exploring the latest developments in our efforts to explore Mars. The show does an excellent job of presenting complex scientific information in a visually appealing and easy-to-understand format. From the history of Mars exploration to the latest cutting-edge technology, this episode offers a comprehensive overview of NASA's fascinating mission to uncover the secrets of our neighboring planet.