Zenith: Advances in Space Exploration

The development of reliable, high-powered boosters has enabled researchers to send probes to distant planets. Without these workhorses our science would remain tied to the Earth. This episode examines a range of launchers integral to space research.

Early in the life of the solar system Mars appears to have had Earth-like conditions. Planetary researchers have been targeting Mars to gain insight into how our own planet developed. We look at probes orbiting Mars and rovers exploring its surface.

The ringed planet is of immense interest to researchers who believe that Saturn's ring system will share similarities with the proto-planetary disc from which the solar system evolved. The Cassini probe spent 13 years examining the Saturnian system.

Currently the only destination for Astronauts and Cosmonauts is the orbiting research platform known as the International space station. This episode exposes the working life of people who spend months orbiting in micro gravity.

The solar system's largest planet has been visited by automated probes since the 1970s. This episode examines the work of the Galileo orbiter and the Juno probe that have advanced our deeper understanding of this giant.

Aviation suits were adapted for the early Cosmonauts and Astronauts but as requirements became more demanding spacesuit design became more elaborate. We look at the evolution of the modern spacesuit, capable of supporting life in extreme conditions.

For most of human history our neighbouring planets were little more that dots of light in the sky with comets and asteroids being a complete mystery. Now the smaller rocky planets and asteroids are key to understanding the formation of our planets.

The Sun is our star. Its energy enables life on the Earth to thrive yet we know so little about the solar weather and the 11 year solar cycle. We feature the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory, Solar Dynamics Observatory and Parker Solar Probe.

Space telescopes orbiting above the distorting effects of the Earth's atmosphere, such as the Hubble, have made incredible contributions to our knowledge of the universe.

There are so many unanswered questions about the stars, the galaxies and the universe. This episode looks at the effort involved in making the first photograph of a black hole and the search for planets orbiting distant stars.

As our expertise in space technology increases there have been spin-offs in many areas - particularly in communications. We examine the emerging techniques designed to increase the rates of data transmission from distant space probes.

The most important planet in the solar system is our home, the Earth. It is the only planet we know that harbours life. We look at Earth's complex climatic systems and the part on-orbit observation plays in the growth of knowledge about our planet.

Space technologies are continuing to be refined and access to space is becoming cheaper. We look at the development of new human-rated spacecraft, reusable boosters, laser communications, the Ion Drive and techniques to refuel satellites in space.