MARS Dead or Alive: Nova (2004)

Mars: Dead or Alive is an excellent Nova documentary that tracks the design, construction, and space launch of the twin Mars rovers, Spirit and Opportunity. Computer-based animations of the Mars launch, landing, and rover ground operations are top-notch -- almost photorealistic -- and video excerpts from the rovers' design, testing, and troubleshooting processes are highly illustrative -- esp. since half of the footage is interspersed with a half-dozen systems and program supervisors talking about their do-or-die efforts to remedy design flaws in the parachute and airbag delivery and other systems, in some cases right up to the day of the first rover's launch. (The footage was filmed during the design before any one of the program's 600 scientists and engineers knew whether their rovers would be finished by the launch window -- which only comes every two years -- much less survive the Mars landing.) If you love space flight, you will share the tenterhooks of suspense that the JPL and NASA team members felt before and during the rovers' launch and esp. during their landings. (Two-thirds of all flights previously sent to Mars have not survived.) And there's nothing like nerd exhilaration when a Mars landing succeeds. (Jump up and down and break out the grape Nehi?) Be sure to see the companion Nova documentary about the rovers' exploration of Mars itself. Also check out the extra features' candid interview with Donna Shirley (donnashirley.com), program co-head for the original Mars rover, Sojourner Truth. 4 stars.