posted 05-05-2007 09:45 AM               

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The Science Channel Launches Space Week, First Annual Space Programming Event May 6–12, 2007, at 8 PM (ET/PT)

Colonizing the lunar surface... developing spacecraft technology to propel humans beyond Earth's low orbit... exploring Mars in hopes of using the planet as a future home — Space Week immerses viewers in the ambitious, cutting-edge science of space exploration. Space Week launches Sunday, May 6, with the network premiere of Space Station and Beyond, and returns to Earth's surface on Saturday, May 12.

"Space is a powerful catalyst for exploration and the imagination. Today's greatest scientific minds are tapping this power to determine real possibilities of the potential for humans in space," said Jane Root, president and general manager, Discovery Channel and The Science Channel. "With Space Week our commitment is to immerse viewers in scientific efforts to help further understanding of these possibilities and knowledge of what lies beyond Earth."

Space Week viewers will explore of one of the last mysterious, awe-inspiring places (un)known to man through in-depth programming on The Science Channel, as well as an information-rich, interactive experience online at ScienceChannel.com. The website will feature a space blog by an experienced science journalist; an interactive exploration of NASA's ORION space vehicle; a timeline of Mars exploration from the 1970s through today; and the latest in space news from the Discovery News service.

The complete schedule of 2007 Space Week premieres includes the following:

• Space Station and Beyond
  Network Premiere
  Sunday, May 6, at 9 PM (ET/PT)

  Get closer than ever to the space station experience and to the cutting edge of entertainment. Showcasing the International Space Station through excerpts from the exclusive live special on November 15, 2006, as well as interviews and all-new material, this special program highlights advances in technology and the continuing human space exploration story.

• Base Camp Moon
  World Premiere
  Monday, May 7, at 9 PM (ET/PT)

  The fruits of the previous moon expeditions have provided scientists with astounding information and insights. Over the years, this information has helped shape technological advancements in fields as diverse as biology, geology, astrophysics and chemistry. In 2018, astronauts will once again set foot on the lunar surface, with the goal being to ultimately establish a presence on Mars and beyond. Astronauts, scientists and engineers will use the moon as a training ground to develop and refine the technologies that such an ambitious vision demands.

• Starship Orion: The Future of Space Travel
  World Premiere
  Tuesday, May 8, at 9 PM (ET/PT)

  NASA has taken the lead in designing the new space exploration vehicle, Orion, with which man will go back to the moon, to Mars and beyond. To compress the development process, experts combined old and proven technology with the most current insights to make Orion the spaceship for the 21st century. Information from the Apollo program, space shuttle missions, personal experience and scientific data were combined to create Orion, the heart of "Project Constellation," NASA's new space program.

• The Mars Underground
  U.S. Premiere
  Wednesday, May 9, at 9 PM (ET/PT)

  Mars Underground details aerospace visionary Dr. Robert Zubrin and his theory of the establishment of permanent human settlements, and the greening of Mars into a second Earth for humans to live on.

• Roving Mars
  Network Premiere
  Thursday, May 10, at 9 PM (ET/PT)

  This is the IMAX film documenting the journeys of Spirit and Opportunity, two rovers that explored the red planet on remote, unmanned NASA missions. The documentary uses the rovers' treks across the rugged Martian terrain to address the question of whether life exists on Mars.

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posted 05-06-2007 12:59 PM               

I also watched "Moon For Sale" on the Discovery Channel. I now understand what Helium-3 is and why we should return to the Moon to mine it from the soil for use in fusion reactors on Earth.

The narrator confirmed that the return to the Moon missions would cost over $100-billion but that the Helium-3 is worth many times that because it is extremely rare on Earth because our atmosphere prevents most of it from reaching Earth. It is plentiful on the Moon and there may be a "land grab" by many nations around 2020 to "claim" portions of the Moon to set up mining operations. Of course, they cannot really "claim" land on the Moon, but they can set up operations as in Antarctica.

Also, they believe that the soil of the Moon is 40% oxygen, which can be converted to water and air to breathe. However, the movie did not mention the downside of Regolite, the soil on the Moon. I learn a great deal from such "space" programming.