Original subtitles

[Music]

it circles the planet 16 times a day 350

it circles the planet 16 times a day 350

it circles the planet 16 times a day 350 kilometers above our heads

okay great direction x1 everything the

okay great direction x1 everything the

okay great direction x1 everything the International Space Station is the

International Space Station is the

International Space Station is the largest man-made object in the sky and

largest man-made object in the sky and

largest man-made object in the sky and is home to a crew of 10 astronauts

they are carrying out experiments to

they are carrying out experiments to

they are carrying out experiments to investigate how life might be moved off

investigate how life might be moved off

investigate how life might be moved off the planet she was here instead by such

the planet she was here instead by such

the planet she was here instead by such work may one day allow us to colonize

work may one day allow us to colonize

work may one day allow us to colonize the moon or even bombs

for landmark spacecraft lie behind the

for landmark spacecraft lie behind the

for landmark spacecraft lie behind the success of the International Space

success of the International Space

success of the International Space Station at the heart of each structure

Station at the heart of each structure

Station at the heart of each structure lies a major technological break that

lies a major technological break that

lies a major technological break that allowed engineers to build bigger

allowed engineers to build bigger

allowed engineers to build bigger spaceships one by one traveling up the

spaceships one by one traveling up the

spaceships one by one traveling up the scale will reveal the stories behind

scale will reveal the stories behind

scale will reveal the stories behind these incredible machines

five ingenious leaps forward that

five ingenious leaps forward that

five ingenious leaps forward that enabled Space Station's to grow from big

enabled Space Station's to grow from big

enabled Space Station's to grow from big to bigger into the world's biggest

[Music]

[Music]

[Music] 10 9 8 gopher mated to start 7 6 main

10 9 8 gopher mated to start 7 6 main

10 9 8 gopher mated to start 7 6 main engine ignition

engine ignition

engine ignition three

both space shuttle Atlantis as Columbus

both space shuttle Atlantis as Columbus

both space shuttle Atlantis as Columbus set sail voyager science to the space

set sail voyager science to the space

set sail voyager science to the space station

there's been now :

there's been now :

there's been now : Lanice all February 2008 space shuttle

Lanice all February 2008 space shuttle

Lanice all February 2008 space shuttle Atlantis begins a 13 day mission to

Atlantis begins a 13 day mission to

Atlantis begins a 13 day mission to deliver the latest component to the

deliver the latest component to the

deliver the latest component to the continually evolving International Space

continually evolving International Space

continually evolving International Space Station Kennedy Space Center traveling

Station Kennedy Space Center traveling

Station Kennedy Space Center traveling 2,000 miles an hour for the past 11

2,000 miles an hour for the past 11

2,000 miles an hour for the past 11 years astronauts have been piecing

years astronauts have been piecing

years astronauts have been piecing together the structure in space by the

together the structure in space by the

together the structure in space by the time it's finished it will consist of 14

time it's finished it will consist of 14

time it's finished it will consist of 14 modules including science laboratory's

modules including science laboratory's

modules including science laboratory's and living quarters and will weigh 400

and living quarters and will weigh 400

and living quarters and will weigh 400 tons one meter to go at a cost of a

tons one meter to go at a cost of a

tons one meter to go at a cost of a hundred billion dollars it is the most

hundred billion dollars it is the most

hundred billion dollars it is the most expensive and challenging construction

expensive and challenging construction

expensive and challenging construction project ever undertaken

to understand how it became possible to

to understand how it became possible to

to understand how it became possible to build something so ambitious we must

build something so ambitious we must

build something so ambitious we must travel back in time

our story begins at the height of the

our story begins at the height of the

our story begins at the height of the Cold War to build the world's first

Cold War to build the world's first

Cold War to build the world's first space station Salyut Soviet engineers

space station Salyut Soviet engineers

space station Salyut Soviet engineers must first conquer the pull of gravity

must first conquer the pull of gravity

must first conquer the pull of gravity [Music]

June 1969 America beats the Soviet Union

June 1969 America beats the Soviet Union

June 1969 America beats the Soviet Union in the race to put a man on the moon go

in the race to put a man on the moon go

in the race to put a man on the moon go ahead mr. president to the seats

ahead mr. president to the seats

ahead mr. president to the seats announce hello Neil and Buzz this

announce hello Neil and Buzz this

announce hello Neil and Buzz this certainly has to be the most historic

certainly has to be the most historic

certainly has to be the most historic telephone call ever made

the Soviets are determined not to be

the Soviets are determined not to be

the Soviets are determined not to be beaten again they want to put a man in

beaten again they want to put a man in

beaten again they want to put a man in space for longer than ever before

scientists don't know how the human body

scientists don't know how the human body

scientists don't know how the human body will cope over time in this extreme

will cope over time in this extreme

will cope over time in this extreme environment so they decide to put a

environment so they decide to put a

environment so they decide to put a laboratory in space to find out Salyut

laboratory in space to find out Salyut

laboratory in space to find out Salyut will hold a crew of three cosmonauts the

will hold a crew of three cosmonauts the

will hold a crew of three cosmonauts the pressurized compartments will have a

pressurized compartments will have a

pressurized compartments will have a control room and living quarters the

control room and living quarters the

control room and living quarters the plan is for the cosmonauts to spend

plan is for the cosmonauts to spend

plan is for the cosmonauts to spend three weeks there

but to stay in orbit that long Salyut

but to stay in orbit that long Salyut

but to stay in orbit that long Salyut must travel at 28,000 kilometers per

must travel at 28,000 kilometers per

must travel at 28,000 kilometers per hour for the duration of the mission

astronaut leroy chiao veteran of four

astronaut leroy chiao veteran of four

astronaut leroy chiao veteran of four Space Station missions knows the danger

Space Station missions knows the danger

Space Station missions knows the danger of taking your foot off the gas if

of taking your foot off the gas if

of taking your foot off the gas if you're not going fast enough and you're

you're not going fast enough and you're

you're not going fast enough and you're going up into space you're just going to

going up into space you're just going to

going up into space you're just going to fall right back down so you've got to

fall right back down so you've got to

fall right back down so you've got to get into what we know as orbital

get into what we know as orbital

get into what we know as orbital velocity and in that way the force due

velocity and in that way the force due

velocity and in that way the force due to acceleration is going to be exactly

to acceleration is going to be exactly

to acceleration is going to be exactly balancing the gravitational pull when

balancing the gravitational pull when

balancing the gravitational pull when those forces are equal then the object

those forces are equal then the object

those forces are equal then the object will stay that distance from the earth

will stay that distance from the earth

will stay that distance from the earth or whatever object it's orbiting to

or whatever object it's orbiting to

or whatever object it's orbiting to reach orbital velocity 28,000 kilometers

reach orbital velocity 28,000 kilometers

reach orbital velocity 28,000 kilometers per hour

per hour

per hour Russians strap Salyut to a proton rocket

once the rocket is in orbit and Salyut

once the rocket is in orbit and Salyut

once the rocket is in orbit and Salyut is released there should be nothing to

is released there should be nothing to

is released there should be nothing to stop it maintaining to speak space is a

stop it maintaining to speak space is a

stop it maintaining to speak space is a vacuum there is no air resistance to

vacuum there is no air resistance to

vacuum there is no air resistance to slow it down but unfortunately this

slow it down but unfortunately this

slow it down but unfortunately this vacuum is not completely empty on

vacuum is not completely empty on

vacuum is not completely empty on principle if you didn't have any

principle if you didn't have any

principle if you didn't have any friction at all then you would Swanson

friction at all then you would Swanson

friction at all then you would Swanson orbit you would stay in orbit in the

orbit you would stay in orbit in the

orbit you would stay in orbit in the case of the earth we have an atmosphere

case of the earth we have an atmosphere

case of the earth we have an atmosphere of air of course and so even at an

of air of course and so even at an

of air of course and so even at an altitude of several hundred miles

altitude of several hundred miles

altitude of several hundred miles there's still some air molecules up

there's still some air molecules up

there's still some air molecules up there even molecules of air hitting

there even molecules of air hitting

there even molecules of air hitting Salyers are enough to create drag and

Salyers are enough to create drag and

Salyers are enough to create drag and slow the spacecraft down

if the speed drops below orbital

if the speed drops below orbital

if the speed drops below orbital velocity gravity will pull the craft

velocity gravity will pull the craft

velocity gravity will pull the craft back to the earth to disastrous effect

so periodically the space station and

so periodically the space station and

so periodically the space station and other spacecraft need to be reboosted by

other spacecraft need to be reboosted by

other spacecraft need to be reboosted by lighting rocket engines and moving your

lighting rocket engines and moving your

lighting rocket engines and moving your orbit up higher again in order to

orbit up higher again in order to

orbit up higher again in order to counteract that effective drag but using

counteract that effective drag but using

counteract that effective drag but using a rocket to boost sound and risky

they go off with a bang and burn out

they go off with a bang and burn out

they go off with a bang and burn out quickly an uncontained blast can send

quickly an uncontained blast can send

quickly an uncontained blast can send salutary ring into deep space engineers

salutary ring into deep space engineers

salutary ring into deep space engineers need a rockets they can keep in check

the answer comes from an unexpected

the answer comes from an unexpected

the answer comes from an unexpected place

during the Korean War the US Army wants

during the Korean War the US Army wants

during the Korean War the US Army wants to move their soldiers quickly around

to move their soldiers quickly around

to move their soldiers quickly around the battlefield engineers come up with a

the battlefield engineers come up with a

the battlefield engineers come up with a gizmo straight out of damned air a

rocket pack

the rocket man can hover because his a

the rocket man can hover because his a

the rocket man can hover because his a jet is powered by a chemical reaction

jet is powered by a chemical reaction

jet is powered by a chemical reaction which he can easily control chemist and

which he can easily control chemist and

which he can easily control chemist and Rashid Lowe demonstrates how to generate

Rashid Lowe demonstrates how to generate

Rashid Lowe demonstrates how to generate thrust from a simple chemical reaction

when hydrogen peroxide decomposes it

when hydrogen peroxide decomposes it

when hydrogen peroxide decomposes it releases oxygen and water in a form of

releases oxygen and water in a form of

releases oxygen and water in a form of steam as I press the syringe like this a

steam as I press the syringe like this a

steam as I press the syringe like this a small amount goes in and out comes a

small amount goes in and out comes a

small amount goes in and out comes a puff of steam

puff of steam

puff of steam another small squirt another puff of

another small squirt another puff of

another small squirt another puff of steam now this is controllability it's

steam now this is controllability it's

steam now this is controllability it's the addition of a precise amount of

the addition of a precise amount of

the addition of a precise amount of hydrogen peroxide immediate response

hydrogen peroxide immediate response

hydrogen peroxide immediate response giving off a small amount of steam and

giving off a small amount of steam and

giving off a small amount of steam and oxygen

oxygen

oxygen [Music]

the Soviets fit chemical motors similar

the Soviets fit chemical motors similar

the Soviets fit chemical motors similar to those pioneered on the rocket pack to

to those pioneered on the rocket pack to

to those pioneered on the rocket pack to their space station

these allow the cosmonauts to give their

these allow the cosmonauts to give their

these allow the cosmonauts to give their shipper controlled bursts of power to

shipper controlled bursts of power to

shipper controlled bursts of power to boost its speed and send it back into

boost its speed and send it back into

boost its speed and send it back into orbit this way the crew managed to

orbit this way the crew managed to

orbit this way the crew managed to circle the earth for 23 days a new world

circle the earth for 23 days a new world

circle the earth for 23 days a new world record go ahead there come out of the

record go ahead there come out of the

record go ahead there come out of the way

way

way it's day three of the shuttles mission

it's day three of the shuttles mission

it's day three of the shuttles mission to deliver a new module to the

to deliver a new module to the

to deliver a new module to the International Space Station

International Space Station

International Space Station you get good sweat okay

even after it is docked the shuttle may

even after it is docked the shuttle may

even after it is docked the shuttle may be required to perform another crucial

be required to perform another crucial

be required to perform another crucial task

the International Space Station does not

the International Space Station does not

the International Space Station does not use its own thrusters to boost it back

use its own thrusters to boost it back

use its own thrusters to boost it back up to orbital velocity

instead it uses thrusters on a docked

instead it uses thrusters on a docked

instead it uses thrusters on a docked craft such as the shuttle

the space station also has to constantly

the space station also has to constantly

the space station also has to constantly correct its position to keep its solar

correct its position to keep its solar

correct its position to keep its solar panels facing the Sun the panel's

panels facing the Sun the panel's

panels facing the Sun the panel's provide all its power to make these fine

provide all its power to make these fine

provide all its power to make these fine adjustments astronauts rely not on

adjustments astronauts rely not on

adjustments astronauts rely not on rocket power but on this a gyroscope

rocket power but on this a gyroscope

rocket power but on this a gyroscope [Music]

[Music]

[Music] space scientist Kevin Fong demonstrates

space scientist Kevin Fong demonstrates

space scientist Kevin Fong demonstrates how a spinning wheel can move a space

how a spinning wheel can move a space

how a spinning wheel can move a space station this is a gyroscope it's very

station this is a gyroscope it's very

station this is a gyroscope it's very crude example of the sort of thing they

crude example of the sort of thing they

crude example of the sort of thing they have on Space Station now like all

have on Space Station now like all

have on Space Station now like all gyroscopes once it's up and spinning it

gyroscopes once it's up and spinning it

gyroscopes once it's up and spinning it wants to stay where it is and if you

wants to stay where it is and if you

wants to stay where it is and if you imagine that this plate here is the

imagine that this plate here is the

imagine that this plate here is the frictionless weightless environment of

frictionless weightless environment of

frictionless weightless environment of space if you can and we get on top of it

space if you can and we get on top of it

space if you can and we get on top of it if I turn the wheel it steers me and if

if I turn the wheel it steers me and if

if I turn the wheel it steers me and if I turn it back the other way and don't

I turn it back the other way and don't

I turn it back the other way and don't fall off it turns me back again and that

fall off it turns me back again and that

fall off it turns me back again and that is a very crude demonstration of how

is a very crude demonstration of how

is a very crude demonstration of how control moment gyros copes steer the

control moment gyros copes steer the

control moment gyros copes steer the space station engineers fit the

space station engineers fit the

space station engineers fit the International Space Station with four

International Space Station with four

International Space Station with four gyrus claws

gyrus claws

gyrus claws [Music]

as engineers on the ground adjust the

as engineers on the ground adjust the

as engineers on the ground adjust the tilt of these spinning wheels they exert

tilt of these spinning wheels they exert

tilt of these spinning wheels they exert a force on the space dish which makes it

a force on the space dish which makes it

a force on the space dish which makes it move the gyroscopes make constant tiny

move the gyroscopes make constant tiny

move the gyroscopes make constant tiny adjustments to ensure the craft solar

adjustments to ensure the craft solar

adjustments to ensure the craft solar panels always face the Sun giving the

panels always face the Sun giving the

panels always face the Sun giving the crew the power they need to carry out

crew the power they need to carry out

crew the power they need to carry out their experiments astronaut Mike Fink

their experiments astronaut Mike Fink

their experiments astronaut Mike Fink has been onboard the space station for a

has been onboard the space station for a

has been onboard the space station for a hundred days it's his second home so

hundred days it's his second home so

hundred days it's his second home so again excuse our mess we're in the

again excuse our mess we're in the

again excuse our mess we're in the middle of building a lot of a lot of

middle of building a lot of a lot of

middle of building a lot of a lot of things in my work area it's a little bit

things in my work area it's a little bit

things in my work area it's a little bit cluttered right now but this is kind of

cluttered right now but this is kind of

cluttered right now but this is kind of my desk it doesn't sit out horizontally

my desk it doesn't sit out horizontally

my desk it doesn't sit out horizontally but it sits but it has everything I need

but it sits but it has everything I need

but it sits but it has everything I need on it here's my crewmate URI launcher

on it here's my crewmate URI launcher

on it here's my crewmate URI launcher cuff exercising on the treadmill

cuff exercising on the treadmill

cuff exercising on the treadmill oh my goodness it's beautiful up there

back in 1971 thrusters keep Salyut in

back in 1971 thrusters keep Salyut in

back in 1971 thrusters keep Salyut in orbit for 23 days

the Americans aim to beat that record

the Americans aim to beat that record

the Americans aim to beat that record with an enormous laboratory space but

with an enormous laboratory space but

with an enormous laboratory space but first they must devise a way for their

first they must devise a way for their

first they must devise a way for their lab to stay in touch with earth

in the late 1960s NASA scientists plan a

in the late 1960s NASA scientists plan a

in the late 1960s NASA scientists plan a series of unique experiments to be

series of unique experiments to be

series of unique experiments to be conducted in space their laboratory will

conducted in space their laboratory will

conducted in space their laboratory will be a 100-ton Space Station called Skylab

three astronauts will be there human

three astronauts will be there human

three astronauts will be there human guinea pigs the scientists want to

guinea pigs the scientists want to

guinea pigs the scientists want to investigate the tremendous toll that

investigate the tremendous toll that

investigate the tremendous toll that living in zero-gravity takes on the

living in zero-gravity takes on the

living in zero-gravity takes on the human body they will monitor their

human body they will monitor their

human body they will monitor their experiments from Earth via a

experiments from Earth via a

experiments from Earth via a communications link

spending time in space can leave

spending time in space can leave

spending time in space can leave astronauts without the muscle power to

astronauts without the muscle power to

astronauts without the muscle power to stand up when they return to Earth space

stand up when they return to Earth space

stand up when they return to Earth space is a uniquely hostile environment but

is a uniquely hostile environment but

is a uniquely hostile environment but one of the things that makes it very

one of the things that makes it very

one of the things that makes it very challenging is the weightlessness

challenging is the weightlessness

challenging is the weightlessness there's lots of systems in your body

there's lots of systems in your body

there's lots of systems in your body that depend upon gravity just for their

that depend upon gravity just for their

that depend upon gravity just for their normal upkeep your muscles and bones but

normal upkeep your muscles and bones but

normal upkeep your muscles and bones but also your heart which is essentially a

also your heart which is essentially a

also your heart which is essentially a muscle pump without the constant force

muscle pump without the constant force

muscle pump without the constant force of Earth's gravity to work against

of Earth's gravity to work against

of Earth's gravity to work against muscles like the heart begin to waste

muscles like the heart begin to waste

muscles like the heart begin to waste away and the longer the human body stays

away and the longer the human body stays

away and the longer the human body stays in space the more muscle power it loses

scientists must overcome this problem

scientists must overcome this problem

scientists must overcome this problem for humans to live on planets where the

for humans to live on planets where the

for humans to live on planets where the pull of gravity is less than on earth

[Music]

[Music]

[Music] the success of the Skylab mission relies

the success of the Skylab mission relies

the success of the Skylab mission relies on scientists being able to monitor the

on scientists being able to monitor the

on scientists being able to monitor the astronauts vital signs from Earth but

astronauts vital signs from Earth but

astronauts vital signs from Earth but there's a problem Houston plans to use

there's a problem Houston plans to use

there's a problem Houston plans to use radio waves to communicate with Skylab

but radio waves can only travel in

but radio waves can only travel in

but radio waves can only travel in straight lines

straight lines

straight lines it takes Skylab 90 minutes to orbit

it takes Skylab 90 minutes to orbit

it takes Skylab 90 minutes to orbit Earth so this gives the scientists on

Earth so this gives the scientists on

Earth so this gives the scientists on the ground a narrow window of just six

the ground a narrow window of just six

the ground a narrow window of just six minutes to monitor the crew as they fly

minutes to monitor the crew as they fly

minutes to monitor the crew as they fly over Houston not long enough to collect

over Houston not long enough to collect

over Houston not long enough to collect the data they need

so NASA establishes 11 additional ground

so NASA establishes 11 additional ground

so NASA establishes 11 additional ground stations around the globe to assist

stations around the globe to assist

stations around the globe to assist Houston

but that still leaves large areas of

but that still leaves large areas of

but that still leaves large areas of ocean with no receivers so they fit some

ocean with no receivers so they fit some

ocean with no receivers so they fit some to the deck of a ship to try to track

to the deck of a ship to try to track

to the deck of a ship to try to track the space station as it flies over the

the space station as it flies over the

the space station as it flies over the sea

but that's a lot of ocean for one ship

but that's a lot of ocean for one ship

but that's a lot of ocean for one ship to cover it's impossible for any ship to

to cover it's impossible for any ship to

to cover it's impossible for any ship to travel fast enough to keep up with

travel fast enough to keep up with

travel fast enough to keep up with Scylla

[Music]

[Music]

[Music] NASA needs radio receivers that are more

NASA needs radio receivers that are more

NASA needs radio receivers that are more mobile

mobile

mobile [Music]

[Music]

[Music] so they fit them to aircraft Michael

so they fit them to aircraft Michael

so they fit them to aircraft Michael Kylie was one of the pilots assigned to

Kylie was one of the pilots assigned to

Kylie was one of the pilots assigned to fly these special planes because of the

fly these special planes because of the

fly these special planes because of the capabilities of the aircraft we could

capabilities of the aircraft we could

capabilities of the aircraft we could position these anywhere in the world

position these anywhere in the world

position these anywhere in the world based on the orbit of the spacecraft

based on the orbit of the spacecraft

based on the orbit of the spacecraft enable real-time continuous full-time

enable real-time continuous full-time

enable real-time continuous full-time communications with the astronauts

a 2-meter radio receiver dish is housed

a 2-meter radio receiver dish is housed

a 2-meter radio receiver dish is housed in the nose electric motors enable the

in the nose electric motors enable the

in the nose electric motors enable the dish to move around so it can aim at any

dish to move around so it can aim at any

dish to move around so it can aim at any point in the sky as the space station

point in the sky as the space station

point in the sky as the space station passes overhead an operator inside the

passes overhead an operator inside the

passes overhead an operator inside the aircraft can adjust the angle of the

aircraft can adjust the angle of the

aircraft can adjust the angle of the dish to pick up skylabs radio signal

as Skylab passes out of range of one

as Skylab passes out of range of one

as Skylab passes out of range of one aircraft another takes over

aircraft another takes over

aircraft another takes over it takes a fleet of eight aircraft

it takes a fleet of eight aircraft

it takes a fleet of eight aircraft flying around the globe to maintain

flying around the globe to maintain

flying around the globe to maintain unbroken contact with skylabs crew

flying these aircraft requires great

flying these aircraft requires great

flying these aircraft requires great skill

you had to be an actual position for the

you had to be an actual position for the

you had to be an actual position for the spacecraft coming over horizon with the

spacecraft coming over horizon with the

spacecraft coming over horizon with the antenna and the airplane pointed towards

antenna and the airplane pointed towards

antenna and the airplane pointed towards where the spacecraft was coming up track

where the spacecraft was coming up track

where the spacecraft was coming up track the spacecraft or as long as you could

the spacecraft or as long as you could

the spacecraft or as long as you could to get the maximum amount of data

to get the maximum amount of data

to get the maximum amount of data relayed back to Houston

relayed back to Houston

relayed back to Houston thanks to pilots like Michael Kylie the

thanks to pilots like Michael Kylie the

thanks to pilots like Michael Kylie the earthbound experts are able to keep a

earthbound experts are able to keep a

earthbound experts are able to keep a constant check on their subject in space

the scientists tried to strengthen

the scientists tried to strengthen

the scientists tried to strengthen wasted muscles by getting the astronauts

wasted muscles by getting the astronauts

wasted muscles by getting the astronauts to exercise against the resistance of

to exercise against the resistance of

to exercise against the resistance of elastic roots they give underused hearts

elastic roots they give underused hearts

elastic roots they give underused hearts a workout by cocooning crew members in a

a workout by cocooning crew members in a

a workout by cocooning crew members in a machine that simulates the gravity of

machine that simulates the gravity of

machine that simulates the gravity of Earth after enduring such trials for

Earth after enduring such trials for

Earth after enduring such trials for eighty-four days the Skylab crew proves

eighty-four days the Skylab crew proves

eighty-four days the Skylab crew proves that the human body now has a fighting

that the human body now has a fighting

that the human body now has a fighting chance to survive without gravity

[Music]

[Music]

[Music] today on the International Space Station

today on the International Space Station

today on the International Space Station scientists have worked out that

scientists have worked out that

scientists have worked out that astronauts need to exercise for

astronauts need to exercise for

astronauts need to exercise for precisely two-and-a-half hours each day

precisely two-and-a-half hours each day

precisely two-and-a-half hours each day to keep their muscles healthy

but in this orbiting laboratory the

but in this orbiting laboratory the

but in this orbiting laboratory the astronauts themselves are no longer the

astronauts themselves are no longer the

astronauts themselves are no longer the prime focus of scientific experiments

prime focus of scientific experiments

prime focus of scientific experiments [Music]

[Music]

[Music] the astronauts are also investigating

the astronauts are also investigating

the astronauts are also investigating how crops might be grown and how animals

how crops might be grown and how animals

how crops might be grown and how animals might be thread in a gravity free

might be thread in a gravity free

might be thread in a gravity free environment as with Skylab specialists

environment as with Skylab specialists

environment as with Skylab specialists on the ground keep in regular contact

on the ground keep in regular contact

on the ground keep in regular contact with the astronauts today they

with the astronauts today they

with the astronauts today they communicate via satellite rather than

communicate via satellite rather than

communicate via satellite rather than aircraft

9 satellites circle the globe thousands

9 satellites circle the globe thousands

9 satellites circle the globe thousands of kilometres above the space station

of kilometres above the space station

of kilometres above the space station they are locked in orbit at fixed points

they are locked in orbit at fixed points

they are locked in orbit at fixed points around the earth's equator together the

around the earth's equator together the

around the earth's equator together the satellites give Mission Control almost

satellites give Mission Control almost

satellites give Mission Control almost uninterrupted contact with the space

uninterrupted contact with the space

uninterrupted contact with the space station as it orbits below when the

station as it orbits below when the

station as it orbits below when the space station transmits a signal the

space station transmits a signal the

space station transmits a signal the nearest satellite picks it up and relays

nearest satellite picks it up and relays

nearest satellite picks it up and relays it to earth from where it is beamed to

it to earth from where it is beamed to

it to earth from where it is beamed to Mission Control in Houston

and go ahead with you that'd be good

and go ahead with you that'd be good

and go ahead with you that'd be good everyone thank we see that's not a

everyone thank we see that's not a

everyone thank we see that's not a problem

problem

problem thanks for the heads up back in 1973 a

thanks for the heads up back in 1973 a

thanks for the heads up back in 1973 a fleet of aircraft allowed the Americans

fleet of aircraft allowed the Americans

fleet of aircraft allowed the Americans Skylab to stay in touch with ground

Skylab to stay in touch with ground

Skylab to stay in touch with ground control

but to make a bigger space dish it would

but to make a bigger space dish it would

but to make a bigger space dish it would require the marriage of two sworn

require the marriage of two sworn

require the marriage of two sworn enemies and the union of two

enemies and the union of two

enemies and the union of two incompatible spacecraft

in 1975 the United States and the Soviet

in 1975 the United States and the Soviet

in 1975 the United States and the Soviet Union make an announcement that shakes

Union make an announcement that shakes

Union make an announcement that shakes the world they will pool their resources

the world they will pool their resources

the world they will pool their resources to create a single Space Station

this joint effort will be a symbol of

this joint effort will be a symbol of

this joint effort will be a symbol of the thawing of the Cold War and bring an

the thawing of the Cold War and bring an

the thawing of the Cold War and bring an end to the tensions of the space race

here's the plan

here's the plan

here's the plan the Soviet Union will launch a Soyuz

the Soviet Union will launch a Soyuz

the Soviet Union will launch a Soyuz spaceship from Baikonur cosmodrome in

spaceship from Baikonur cosmodrome in

spaceship from Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan simultaneously the USA will

Kazakhstan simultaneously the USA will

Kazakhstan simultaneously the USA will launch an Apollo spaceship from Cape

launch an Apollo spaceship from Cape

launch an Apollo spaceship from Cape Canaveral

both craft will dock in orbit 220

both craft will dock in orbit 220

both craft will dock in orbit 220 kilometers above you here the American

kilometers above you here the American

kilometers above you here the American astronauts will meet the Soviet

astronauts will meet the Soviet

astronauts will meet the Soviet cosmonauts and together they will

cosmonauts and together they will

cosmonauts and together they will conduct the first-ever international

conduct the first-ever international

conduct the first-ever international space mission one of the American

space mission one of the American

space mission one of the American astronauts was Vance brand I thought it

astronauts was Vance brand I thought it

astronauts was Vance brand I thought it was going to be a very interesting

was going to be a very interesting

was going to be a very interesting flight with a obviously an international

flight with a obviously an international

flight with a obviously an international flavor a lot of challenges something

flavor a lot of challenges something

flavor a lot of challenges something that we had to do right but the bigger

that we had to do right but the bigger

that we had to do right but the bigger challenge was getting together with our

challenge was getting together with our

challenge was getting together with our well I guess you'd say back then our

well I guess you'd say back then our

well I guess you'd say back then our enemies and pulling off a successful

enemies and pulling off a successful

enemies and pulling off a successful space mission but a huge engineering

space mission but a huge engineering

space mission but a huge engineering challenge also emerges the Russian and

challenge also emerges the Russian and

challenge also emerges the Russian and American spacecraft are a mechanical

American spacecraft are a mechanical

American spacecraft are a mechanical mismatch both were designed at the

mismatch both were designed at the

mismatch both were designed at the height of the Cold War behind a veil of

height of the Cold War behind a veil of

height of the Cold War behind a veil of secrecy and in one crucial aspect they

secrecy and in one crucial aspect they

secrecy and in one crucial aspect they are incompatible with one another

are incompatible with one another

are incompatible with one another [Music]

the air pressure in the two ships is

the air pressure in the two ships is

the air pressure in the two ships is completely different the air in the

completely different the air in the

completely different the air in the Russian Soyuz craft is maintained at the

Russian Soyuz craft is maintained at the

Russian Soyuz craft is maintained at the same pressure as our earth

but on the american apollo craft the

but on the american apollo craft the

but on the american apollo craft the astronauts breathe pure oxygen stored at

astronauts breathe pure oxygen stored at

astronauts breathe pure oxygen stored at a much lower pressure

if the Americans open the hatch the

if the Americans open the hatch the

if the Americans open the hatch the sudden change in air pressure could have

sudden change in air pressure could have

sudden change in air pressure could have a devastating effect on their Russian

a devastating effect on their Russian

a devastating effect on their Russian counterparts it would cause the nitrogen

counterparts it would cause the nitrogen

counterparts it would cause the nitrogen normally dissolved in that blood to

normally dissolved in that blood to

normally dissolved in that blood to reform as a bubbles of gas and these

reform as a bubbles of gas and these

reform as a bubbles of gas and these bubbles could kill the cosmonauts this

bubbles could kill the cosmonauts this

bubbles could kill the cosmonauts this condition also afflicts deep-sea divers

condition also afflicts deep-sea divers

condition also afflicts deep-sea divers if they resurface too quickly

if they resurface too quickly

if they resurface too quickly [Music]

they can prevent it by sitting in a

they can prevent it by sitting in a

they can prevent it by sitting in a chamber where the air pressure is

chamber where the air pressure is

chamber where the air pressure is gradually decreased Engineers borrow

gradually decreased Engineers borrow

gradually decreased Engineers borrow this idea and fix a decompression

this idea and fix a decompression

this idea and fix a decompression chamber to the front of the Apollo ship

once the two craft dock the American

once the two craft dock the American

once the two craft dock the American astronauts will leave Apollo and enter

astronauts will leave Apollo and enter

astronauts will leave Apollo and enter the chamber they will wait there for

the chamber they will wait there for

the chamber they will wait there for three hours until the air pressure

three hours until the air pressure

three hours until the air pressure equalizes to match the pressure inside

equalizes to match the pressure inside

equalizes to match the pressure inside Soyuz

then the astronauts should be able to

then the astronauts should be able to

then the astronauts should be able to safely enter the Russian spacecraft for

safely enter the Russian spacecraft for

safely enter the Russian spacecraft for a momentous handshake

[Music]

[Music]

[Music] 15th of July 1975 Vance brand and the

15th of July 1975 Vance brand and the

15th of July 1975 Vance brand and the Apollo crew set off on their mission

please don't forget about less than 5

please don't forget about less than 5

please don't forget about less than 5 meters distance contact when we

meters distance contact when we

meters distance contact when we connected why if there was a slight

connected why if there was a slight

connected why if there was a slight lurch and latches made and that we were

lurch and latches made and that we were

lurch and latches made and that we were we were elated meant that we'd gotten

we were elated meant that we'd gotten

we were elated meant that we'd gotten there successfully nothing had gone

there successfully nothing had gone

there successfully nothing had gone wrong and we'd accomplished step one of

wrong and we'd accomplished step one of

wrong and we'd accomplished step one of our mission step 2 the Americans wait

our mission step 2 the Americans wait

our mission step 2 the Americans wait for their bodies to acclimatize tensions

for their bodies to acclimatize tensions

for their bodies to acclimatize tensions run high on both sides of this Iron

run high on both sides of this Iron

run high on both sides of this Iron Curtain

[Music]

[Music]

[Music] when the hatch in their spacecraft was

when the hatch in their spacecraft was

when the hatch in their spacecraft was open why there were sort of cheers and

open why there were sort of cheers and

open why there were sort of cheers and shaking hands and hugging and all that

shaking hands and hugging and all that

shaking hands and hugging and all that it was really a base that was put in

it was really a base that was put in

it was really a base that was put in place to improve future international

place to improve future international

place to improve future international cooperation especially between Eastern

cooperation especially between Eastern

cooperation especially between Eastern Bloc countries and the West it maybe

Bloc countries and the West it maybe

Bloc countries and the West it maybe almost forgotten now

almost forgotten now

almost forgotten now but we made steps that improve world

but we made steps that improve world

but we made steps that improve world relations and we dot developed a pretty

relations and we dot developed a pretty

relations and we dot developed a pretty neat new docking system to

this extraordinary meeting sets the tone

this extraordinary meeting sets the tone

this extraordinary meeting sets the tone for future worldwide cooperation on the

for future worldwide cooperation on the

for future worldwide cooperation on the even more ambitious international space

even more ambitious international space

even more ambitious international space station today space shuttle Atlantis

station today space shuttle Atlantis

station today space shuttle Atlantis with its precious cargo approaches the

with its precious cargo approaches the

with its precious cargo approaches the International Space Station

right here we go in a cellar position

right here we go in a cellar position

right here we go in a cellar position after a three-day journey the shuttle

after a three-day journey the shuttle

after a three-day journey the shuttle prepares to dock movin it to the right

prepares to dock movin it to the right

prepares to dock movin it to the right about maybe 15 minutes or so my

about maybe 15 minutes or so my

about maybe 15 minutes or so my controllers standing by for contact and

controllers standing by for contact and

controllers standing by for contact and capture of get a National Space Station

capture of get a National Space Station

capture of get a National Space Station the new module has arrived safe and

the new module has arrived safe and

the new module has arrived safe and sound so too has the multinational crew

bought a china shop yeah

the station has maintained a permanent

the station has maintained a permanent

the station has maintained a permanent human presence in space for nearly a

human presence in space for nearly a

human presence in space for nearly a decade that's largely thanks to the

decade that's largely thanks to the

decade that's largely thanks to the engineers who have found a way to

engineers who have found a way to

engineers who have found a way to recycle humankind's most precious

recycle humankind's most precious

recycle humankind's most precious resource

water

at Marshall Space Center in Alabama

at Marshall Space Center in Alabama

at Marshall Space Center in Alabama scientists have built a mock-up of a

scientists have built a mock-up of a

scientists have built a mock-up of a Space Station module to perfect the

Space Station module to perfect the

Space Station module to perfect the latest water recycling techniques and

latest water recycling techniques and

latest water recycling techniques and they move civilian volunteers into the

they move civilian volunteers into the

they move civilian volunteers into the sealed chamber to live just like

sealed chamber to live just like

sealed chamber to live just like astronauts we use this chamber to help

astronauts we use this chamber to help

astronauts we use this chamber to help us generate real-life wastewater is

us generate real-life wastewater is

us generate real-life wastewater is representative as possible of the

representative as possible of the

representative as possible of the wastewater that the astronaut to

wastewater that the astronaut to

wastewater that the astronaut to generate while they're in the space

generate while they're in the space

generate while they're in the space station extractor fans suck in warm air

station extractor fans suck in warm air

station extractor fans suck in warm air laden with perspiration and collect the

laden with perspiration and collect the

laden with perspiration and collect the sweat evaporating from wet clothes

sweat evaporating from wet clothes

sweat evaporating from wet clothes the scientists give this sweaty fluid a

the scientists give this sweaty fluid a

the scientists give this sweaty fluid a polite name humidity condensate

they also managed to recover the water

they also managed to recover the water

they also managed to recover the water in urine urine not surprisingly is more

in urine urine not surprisingly is more

in urine urine not surprisingly is more contaminated than the humidity

contaminated than the humidity

contaminated than the humidity condensate so we put that through it's

condensate so we put that through it's

condensate so we put that through it's an initial distillation process we can

an initial distillation process we can

an initial distillation process we can recover about eighty-five percent of the

recover about eighty-five percent of the

recover about eighty-five percent of the water that's inherently in urine the

water that's inherently in urine the

water that's inherently in urine the recycling system on the space station

recycling system on the space station

recycling system on the space station manages to recover an incredible 94

manages to recover an incredible 94

manages to recover an incredible 94 percent of the wastewater produced by

percent of the wastewater produced by

percent of the wastewater produced by the astronauts

and the crew not only drink this water

and the crew not only drink this water

and the crew not only drink this water they breathe it too

inside the Space Station's life-support

inside the Space Station's life-support

inside the Space Station's life-support system electricity is passed through

system electricity is passed through

system electricity is passed through tanks of recycled water

this charge of energy splits the water

this charge of energy splits the water

this charge of energy splits the water into its chemical components hydrogen

into its chemical components hydrogen

into its chemical components hydrogen and oxygen

pumps channel the oxygen through pipes

pumps channel the oxygen through pipes

pumps channel the oxygen through pipes that run throughout the craft to carry

that run throughout the craft to carry

that run throughout the craft to carry the life-giving gas to the fruit

fresh air from sweat and you

this technology is vital for future

this technology is vital for future

this technology is vital for future manned missions to Mars a return trip

manned missions to Mars a return trip

manned missions to Mars a return trip could take two years during which time a

could take two years during which time a

could take two years during which time a crew of four would use over 36,000

crew of four would use over 36,000

crew of four would use over 36,000 liters of water so it's crucial space

liters of water so it's crucial space

liters of water so it's crucial space scientists learn how to recycle every

scientists learn how to recycle every

scientists learn how to recycle every last drop to minimize the amount the

last drop to minimize the amount the

last drop to minimize the amount the crew have to carry onboard back in 1975

crew have to carry onboard back in 1975

crew have to carry onboard back in 1975 the meeting of American and Soviet minds

the meeting of American and Soviet minds

the meeting of American and Soviet minds produces a spacecraft that's a world

produces a spacecraft that's a world

produces a spacecraft that's a world leader

but to move up to the next level

but to move up to the next level

but to move up to the next level the Soviets decides to go in front

to build an even bigger Space Station

to build an even bigger Space Station

to build an even bigger Space Station they must master the art of the space

they must master the art of the space

they must master the art of the space book

in February 1986 a Soviet rocket takes

in February 1986 a Soviet rocket takes

in February 1986 a Soviet rocket takes off carrying the first section of an

off carrying the first section of an

off carrying the first section of an enormous spacecraft

once complete the MIR Space Station will

once complete the MIR Space Station will

once complete the MIR Space Station will weigh around 130 tons too heavy to be

weigh around 130 tons too heavy to be

weigh around 130 tons too heavy to be carried into space on a single rocket so

carried into space on a single rocket so

carried into space on a single rocket so it must be sent up in six separate

it must be sent up in six separate

it must be sent up in six separate sections construction work will be

sections construction work will be

sections construction work will be carried out by a team of space walking

carried out by a team of space walking

carried out by a team of space walking cosmonauts a radical idea

they were cutting new ground this was a

they were cutting new ground this was a

they were cutting new ground this was a new thing they said well gosh let's see

new thing they said well gosh let's see

new thing they said well gosh let's see if we can build a bigger Space Station

if we can build a bigger Space Station

if we can build a bigger Space Station what can we do what are the problems

what can we do what are the problems

what can we do what are the problems that might come up and what can we learn

that might come up and what can we learn

that might come up and what can we learn the first challenge is working outside

the first challenge is working outside

the first challenge is working outside in such a hostile environment up here

in such a hostile environment up here

in such a hostile environment up here temperatures can range from over 275

temperatures can range from over 275

temperatures can range from over 275 degrees in the Sun to minus 275 in the

degrees in the Sun to minus 275 in the

degrees in the Sun to minus 275 in the shade shed

shade shed

shade shed NASA astronaut Randy Bresnik reveals how

NASA astronaut Randy Bresnik reveals how

NASA astronaut Randy Bresnik reveals how a spacesuit fed with cold liquid

a spacesuit fed with cold liquid

a spacesuit fed with cold liquid benefits the space Walker

the liquid cooling garment is the mesh

the liquid cooling garment is the mesh

the liquid cooling garment is the mesh looking with all these tubes a few

looking with all these tubes a few

looking with all these tubes a few hundred yards of tubing they actually

hundred yards of tubing they actually

hundred yards of tubing they actually have the water cooling that cycles

have the water cooling that cycles

have the water cooling that cycles through the whole thing you can adjust

through the whole thing you can adjust

through the whole thing you can adjust to control your body temperature so when

to control your body temperature so when

to control your body temperature so when it's you know minus 275

it's you know minus 275

it's you know minus 275 you can turn up the temperature and stay

you can turn up the temperature and stay

you can turn up the temperature and stay warm and then when it's plus 275 degrees

warm and then when it's plus 275 degrees

warm and then when it's plus 275 degrees you could turn the cooling up and and

you could turn the cooling up and and

you could turn the cooling up and and cool down so we need the suit to

cool down so we need the suit to

cool down so we need the suit to basically make a a little individual

basically make a a little individual

basically make a a little individual space craft and when you're outside B

space craft and when you're outside B

space craft and when you're outside B I'll do the work

in early space the liquid that cools the

in early space the liquid that cools the

in early space the liquid that cools the content along with the oxygen we breathe

content along with the oxygen we breathe

content along with the oxygen we breathe and the electricity that keeps his

and the electricity that keeps his

and the electricity that keeps his systems running are fed from space

systems running are fed from space

systems running are fed from space station to space suit through a long

station to space suit through a long

station to space suit through a long umbilical cord but this court poses a

umbilical cord but this court poses a

umbilical cord but this court poses a problem for the cosmonauts building Mir

problem for the cosmonauts building Mir

problem for the cosmonauts building Mir not only does it limit their

not only does it limit their

not only does it limit their maneuverability around the station but

maneuverability around the station but

maneuverability around the station but if it snags and springs a leak it could

if it snags and springs a leak it could

if it snags and springs a leak it could spell disaster for the cosmonaut

to overcome this problem russian

to overcome this problem russian

to overcome this problem russian designers remove the umbilical cord and

designers remove the umbilical cord and

designers remove the umbilical cord and replace it with a portable backpack it

replace it with a portable backpack it

replace it with a portable backpack it contains tanks of oxygen batteries and

contains tanks of oxygen batteries and

contains tanks of oxygen batteries and cooling and eating fluids that feed

cooling and eating fluids that feed

cooling and eating fluids that feed straight into the spacesuit the

straight into the spacesuit the

straight into the spacesuit the designers supply two of each component

designers supply two of each component

designers supply two of each component in case one fails the cosmonaut can't

in case one fails the cosmonaut can't

in case one fails the cosmonaut can't bend his head far enough to see the

bend his head far enough to see the

bend his head far enough to see the control panel on his chest

so the designers have thoughtfully

so the designers have thoughtfully

so the designers have thoughtfully supplied him with a built-in mirror

supplied him with a built-in mirror

supplied him with a built-in mirror you

this way cosmonauts can assemble mere

this way cosmonauts can assemble mere

this way cosmonauts can assemble mere unimpeded

despite their increased agility it takes

despite their increased agility it takes

despite their increased agility it takes them 10 years to complete the space

them 10 years to complete the space

them 10 years to complete the space station

but the new spacesuit makes it far

but the new spacesuit makes it far

but the new spacesuit makes it far easier to build a structure of almost

easier to build a structure of almost

easier to build a structure of almost any shape and size out in space

[Music]

[Music]

[Music] today at the International Space Station

today at the International Space Station

today at the International Space Station the time has come to bolt on the new

the time has come to bolt on the new

the time has come to bolt on the new module a prefabricated Science

module a prefabricated Science

module a prefabricated Science Laboratory astronaut Rex whoa hey checks

Laboratory astronaut Rex whoa hey checks

Laboratory astronaut Rex whoa hey checks his spacesuit before his seven hour

his spacesuit before his seven hour

his spacesuit before his seven hour spacewalk to fix the module onto the

spacewalk to fix the module onto the

spacewalk to fix the module onto the station's home we copy the expected

station's home we copy the expected

station's home we copy the expected messages Newmar still just waiting on

messages Newmar still just waiting on

messages Newmar still just waiting on climate reefer ecstasy to prepare for

climate reefer ecstasy to prepare for

climate reefer ecstasy to prepare for this Rex has undergone over 200 hours of

this Rex has undergone over 200 hours of

this Rex has undergone over 200 hours of intense training on earth okay copy with

intense training on earth okay copy with

intense training on earth okay copy with anybody this water tank at the Johnson

anybody this water tank at the Johnson

anybody this water tank at the Johnson Space Center creates a near weightless

Space Center creates a near weightless

Space Center creates a near weightless environment for the astronauts to Train

environment for the astronauts to Train

environment for the astronauts to Train [Music]

[Music]

[Music] and call this facility the neutral

and call this facility the neutral

and call this facility the neutral buoyancy laboratory because in the water

buoyancy laboratory because in the water

buoyancy laboratory because in the water we can wear the same suit basically that

we can wear the same suit basically that

we can wear the same suit basically that we wear in space through our spacewalks

we wear in space through our spacewalks

we wear in space through our spacewalks and the divers that assist us can add

and the divers that assist us can add

and the divers that assist us can add weights or styrofoam to our suits and

weights or styrofoam to our suits and

weights or styrofoam to our suits and make us neutrally buoyant which feels a

make us neutrally buoyant which feels a

make us neutrally buoyant which feels a little bit like being weightless in the

little bit like being weightless in the

little bit like being weightless in the bottom of this pool sits a replica of

bottom of this pool sits a replica of

bottom of this pool sits a replica of the space station underwater astronauts

the space station underwater astronauts

the space station underwater astronauts get to grips with maneuvering themselves

get to grips with maneuvering themselves

get to grips with maneuvering themselves around its hull

they have limited mobility in their

they have limited mobility in their

they have limited mobility in their spacesuits there's a compression issue

spacesuits there's a compression issue

spacesuits there's a compression issue with the typical of the cumbersome

with the typical of the cumbersome

with the typical of the cumbersome spacesuit makes even the simplest tasks

spacesuit makes even the simplest tasks

spacesuit makes even the simplest tasks such as turning a wrench extremely

such as turning a wrench extremely

such as turning a wrench extremely challenging

his helmet is touching a lighter you had

his helmet is touching a lighter you had

his helmet is touching a lighter you had a for that poor clamp and cutting back

a for that poor clamp and cutting back

a for that poor clamp and cutting back at the real space station Rex's first

at the real space station Rex's first

at the real space station Rex's first task is to unload the module from the

task is to unload the module from the

task is to unload the module from the shuttles hold the 10-ton laboratory may

shuttles hold the 10-ton laboratory may

shuttles hold the 10-ton laboratory may be weightless in space but to move this

be weightless in space but to move this

be weightless in space but to move this awkward shape he needs a helping hand

luckily for Rex the Canadian Space

luckily for Rex the Canadian Space

luckily for Rex the Canadian Space Agency has developed a special arm made

Agency has developed a special arm made

Agency has developed a special arm made from seven motorized lineage

the arm is firmly anchored into

the arm is firmly anchored into

the arm is firmly anchored into portholes on the station's hull a

detachable hand enables it to lift

detachable hand enables it to lift

detachable hand enables it to lift objects and assist in construction

the crew used the arm to lift the

the crew used the arm to lift the

the crew used the arm to lift the laboratory out of the cargo bay good job

laboratory out of the cargo bay good job

laboratory out of the cargo bay good job we must continue to protect a little

we must continue to protect a little

we must continue to protect a little down there the arm bends to line the

down there the arm bends to line the

down there the arm bends to line the module up with its docking port one

module up with its docking port one

module up with its docking port one meter to go Abby

Rex then bolts the laboratory in place

Rex then bolts the laboratory in place

Rex then bolts the laboratory in place by hand okay let's go back in just a few

by hand okay let's go back in just a few

by hand okay let's go back in just a few days time the laboratory will be up and

days time the laboratory will be up and

days time the laboratory will be up and running great job guide in 1986 Soviet

running great job guide in 1986 Soviet

running great job guide in 1986 Soviet engineers cracked the problem of

engineers cracked the problem of

engineers cracked the problem of building in space and assemble a space

building in space and assemble a space

building in space and assemble a space station of unprecedented scale

but a structure as big as the

but a structure as big as the

but a structure as big as the International Space Station presents a

International Space Station presents a

International Space Station presents a new challenge its size makes it an easy

new challenge its size makes it an easy

new challenge its size makes it an easy target for accidental collisions today

target for accidental collisions today

target for accidental collisions today the crew of the International Space

the crew of the International Space

the crew of the International Space Station lived the constant threat of

Station lived the constant threat of

Station lived the constant threat of being hit by a flying object over

being hit by a flying object over

being hit by a flying object over 100,000 pieces of discarded rockets and

100,000 pieces of discarded rockets and

100,000 pieces of discarded rockets and satellites litter the space stations

satellites litter the space stations

satellites litter the space stations path this is a real-time image of the

path this is a real-time image of the

path this is a real-time image of the deadly orbiting space junk

NASA use radar to track the largest

NASA use radar to track the largest

NASA use radar to track the largest pieces of wreckage and steer the station

pieces of wreckage and steer the station

pieces of wreckage and steer the station out of harm's way

but the greatest threat comes from

but the greatest threat comes from

but the greatest threat comes from debris that's too small to see something

debris that's too small to see something

debris that's too small to see something is minut as a grain of sand traveling at

is minut as a grain of sand traveling at

is minut as a grain of sand traveling at orbital speed would have enough momentum

orbital speed would have enough momentum

orbital speed would have enough momentum to rupture the station's hull caused it

to rupture the station's hull caused it

to rupture the station's hull caused it to depressurize and kill those on board

at Johnson Space Center scientists can

at Johnson Space Center scientists can

at Johnson Space Center scientists can replicate such a debris strike they load

replicate such a debris strike they load

replicate such a debris strike they load a tiny fragment of aluminium into a

a tiny fragment of aluminium into a

a tiny fragment of aluminium into a special gun and fire it at 25,000

special gun and fire it at 25,000

special gun and fire it at 25,000 kilometers per hour at the sample of the

kilometers per hour at the sample of the

kilometers per hour at the sample of the space station's home this shows a full

space station's home this shows a full

space station's home this shows a full sample this is the impacted side and

sample this is the impacted side and

sample this is the impacted side and this is the bubble on the backside the

this is the bubble on the backside the

this is the bubble on the backside the bubble has basically burst on the back

bubble has basically burst on the back

bubble has basically burst on the back like a balloon little pieces come off at

like a balloon little pieces come off at

like a balloon little pieces come off at high speed like a hand grenade so if you

high speed like a hand grenade so if you

high speed like a hand grenade so if you have this would be the inside of the

have this would be the inside of the

have this would be the inside of the vehicle if you have equipment here or

vehicle if you have equipment here or

vehicle if you have equipment here or personnel and these pieces come off it

personnel and these pieces come off it

personnel and these pieces come off it can be very damaging or an injury to the

can be very damaging or an injury to the

can be very damaging or an injury to the crew Engineers have found that one thick

crew Engineers have found that one thick

crew Engineers have found that one thick sheet of aluminium offers less

sheet of aluminium offers less

sheet of aluminium offers less protection than two thin sheets

protection than two thin sheets

protection than two thin sheets separated by a gap you can see the entry

separated by a gap you can see the entry

separated by a gap you can see the entry hole there the particle will come in and

hole there the particle will come in and

hole there the particle will come in and it hits this and because of the high

it hits this and because of the high

it hits this and because of the high velocity that the particle is moving as

velocity that the particle is moving as

velocity that the particle is moving as it goes through this layer it shocks the

it goes through this layer it shocks the

it goes through this layer it shocks the particle basically fragments it and as

particle basically fragments it and as

particle basically fragments it and as it exits on this side it's moving a

it exits on this side it's moving a

it exits on this side it's moving a little bit slower but it forms a debris

little bit slower but it forms a debris

little bit slower but it forms a debris cloud it looks like a kind of a balloon

cloud it looks like a kind of a balloon

cloud it looks like a kind of a balloon of particulate material and that spreads

of particulate material and that spreads

of particulate material and that spreads out and you can see by the time it hits

out and you can see by the time it hits

out and you can see by the time it hits the wall that we're trying to protect it

the wall that we're trying to protect it

the wall that we're trying to protect it spread out quite a bit

spread out quite a bit

spread out quite a bit [Music]

[Music]

[Music] to enhance this protective paneling

to enhance this protective paneling

to enhance this protective paneling engineers pad the gap with the same

engineers pad the gap with the same

engineers pad the gap with the same material used for bulletproof vests

material used for bulletproof vests

material used for bulletproof vests Kevlar

Kevlar

Kevlar [Music]

now as an object penetrates the outer

now as an object penetrates the outer

now as an object penetrates the outer layer the Kevlar takes the sting out of

layer the Kevlar takes the sting out of

layer the Kevlar takes the sting out of the cloud of debris leaving the inner

the cloud of debris leaving the inner

the cloud of debris leaving the inner layer unharmed

engineers fit shielding around the most

engineers fit shielding around the most

engineers fit shielding around the most vulnerable areas of the space station

[Music]

[Music]

[Music] they even fit shutters to protect the

they even fit shutters to protect the

they even fit shutters to protect the windows when they're not in use

this technology could one day be used to

this technology could one day be used to

this technology could one day be used to protect outposts on the Moon or Mars

protect outposts on the Moon or Mars

protect outposts on the Moon or Mars which unlike earth have little or no

which unlike earth have little or no

which unlike earth have little or no atmosphere to absorb the impacts of

atmosphere to absorb the impacts of

atmosphere to absorb the impacts of falling dust of rocks

secure behind his aluminium and Kevlar

secure behind his aluminium and Kevlar

secure behind his aluminium and Kevlar shield Mike Fincke and his team can now

shield Mike Fincke and his team can now

shield Mike Fincke and his team can now get to work inside the new Columbus

get to work inside the new Columbus

get to work inside the new Columbus laboratory here we are in the Columbus

laboratory here we are in the Columbus

laboratory here we are in the Columbus module the pride of the European Space

module the pride of the European Space

module the pride of the European Space Agency this is exactly how we work and

Agency this is exactly how we work and

Agency this is exactly how we work and live in space and I hope you enjoyed the

live in space and I hope you enjoyed the

live in space and I hope you enjoyed the tour does Mike Fink saying goodbye and

tour does Mike Fink saying goodbye and

tour does Mike Fink saying goodbye and thanks the International Space Station

thanks the International Space Station

thanks the International Space Station paves the way for human beings to

paves the way for human beings to

paves the way for human beings to inhabit other worlds it really is the

inhabit other worlds it really is the

inhabit other worlds it really is the ultimate spacecraft until someone builds

ultimate spacecraft until someone builds

ultimate spacecraft until someone builds an even bigger one

[Music]

[Music]