Space: The New Frontier

Who are these people that venture into space? Once they were test pilots, then scientists and engineers now teachers, politicians and paying tourists what does it take to earn the astronaut wings?

The new surge in space transportation, privately owned companies vying for government contracts and private entrepreneurs looking to build hotels in space.

Chances are, you are watching this program by satellite, one way or the other. Every day we use these wonders of human design, from communication and weather observation, to GPS and recourse management.

With low Earth orbit delegated to private companies, NASA is free to develop the deep space hardware for missions to Mars and beyond. The Orion space craft and SLS launch system are well on their way to delivering this capability.

Air, water, food, electricity and fuel all the essentials to explore the solar system, this episode explores the innovative plans for astronauts to grow their own food and extract water and fuel at their destinations.

NASA and others are developing new innovative propulsion systems, Ion thrusters, solar sails and the science fiction 'Warp drive' is not as far away as once thought.

The threat of an asteroid strike is a very real danger in our solar system, mankind is now in a position to defend the planet from such an eventuality.

The Hubble Telescope is nearing its end, the replacements are ready to go, ready to peer further back in time and space than can be imagined.

The life cycle of stars reveal to us the past and the future of Earth and ourselves.

In terms of the Universe, we know we don't know much, especially when it comes to dark matter and dark energy. Scientists are devoting so much of their time to discovering as much as the possibly can about this mysterious matter.