NASA Videos

The Birth of NASA

Highlights the beginning of NASA (1958) and its early programs, including the introduction of a quality control program.

Liftoff to Learning: Microgravity

Focuses on four scientific disciplines in microgravity studies: fluid physics, materials science, biotechnology, and combustion. Experiments within these disciplines explore how the effects of buoyancy-driven convection and sedimentation, seen in ground-based laboratories, are diminished in space, allowing scientists to expand their knowledge in these areas. "Microgravity" describes the restrictions that gravity imposes on scientific experimentation and how they can be greatly reduced in the exciting research environment of the Space Shuttle and later on in the International Space Station.

Astromiles-Living in Space

Contains footage from postflight press conferences of several missions showing life aboard the Shuttle, including daily living activities and scientific experiments. This video is educational and entertaining.

Animal Physiology in Space: Frog Embryology Experiment

Provides an overview of the frog embryology experiment that flew on the STS-47 Spacelab-J mission.

NASA Connnect Video Series 1990-2000, Episode 4: Geometry of Expolartion: Eyes over Mars

The fourth of seven programs in the 1999-2000 NASA Connect Series.Students will meet a surveyor who will explain how he surveys locations like football or soccer fields, will describe the tools and techniques he uses, and will show students how math and geometry are used in surveying. Students will also see how NASA researchers use geometric shapes to navigate spacecraft to Mars and how satellites, like the Mars Global Surveyor, and the principles of geometry are used to determine the elevation of land formations on Mars. Students will conduct a classroom activity to apply what they have learned about geometry and the relationship between the sides and angles of triangles.

International Space Station, Video Progress, Report Oct. 2000

Outlines the assembly and docking sequence of the completed flights of the International Space Station. Also touches upon the logistics of forthcoming missions as the assembly process continues through completion.

Mathematics, Project Mathematics: Sine and Cosines Part I

Introduces the topic of trigonometry. The sine and cosine are first derived from the unit circle, and then their basic properties and identities are explored. The use of sine and cosine in the description of harmonic motion is illustrated visually and audibly with an electronic synthesizer and with musical instruments. The periodic nature of the sine wave is discussed, and the traditional triangular derivation of the sine and cosine is presented. Copyrighted by and reproduced with permission from the California Institute of Technology. For educational use only. Not for international distribution.

International Space, Station Overview

Presents an overview of the International Space Station (ISS). Discusses how research conducted onboard the ISS will have many benefits for humankind. Outlines the roles cooperating nations will play in the construction and maintenance of the ISS. Also discusses station design and orbit.

America's Wings, history of flight

Discuss aeronautics and airplane wing design. Presents commentaries from key research personnel whose contributions were historically significant in the deveopment of the modern airplane wing: Igor Sikorsky, who invented the helicopter; James Osborne, whose small suggestion helped make jet transports fylable; Eastman Jacobs, whose wind tunnel work in the 1930's established the shape of airfoils; Adolph Buseman, who thought of the swept wing; Kelly Johnson, who designed 40 airplanes; and Richard Whitcomb, who conceived the idea for the supercritical wing, the "coke-bottle" fuselage, and the winglet.

The Coldest, Windiest, Iciest Place on Earth & Life in Antarctica, Then and Now

Program 1: The Coldest, Windiest, Iciest Place on Earth Introduces and explores the geology, climate, location, scale, and history of the coldest, windiest, highest continent on Earth; one with 70 percent of all the world's fresh water, 90 percent of Earth's ice, and regions drier than the Gobi Desert. Antarctica plays a crucial role in global climate and holds clues to our planet's future. And while today it seems locked into its icy identity, it was once very different, a reminder of how drastic planetary climate changes can be. In this program, students will learn how and why Antarctica has changed over time, how ancient continents formed and broke up, and what Antarctica can reveal about Earth today and in the future.

The NASA "Why?" Files Video Series 2000-2001 Program 4: The Case of the Challenging Flight

Program 4: The Case of the Challenging FlightIn "The Case of the Challenging Flight," the six tree house detectives accept their rival's challenge to compete in the "egg-tra-ordinary" airplane contest. They use scientific inquiry to learn about the four forces of flight: lift, thrust, drag, and weight. The tree house detectives get a little help from their man, Jackie Chan, the human flying machine. Two NASA "Why?" Files Kids' Club classrooms offer their assistance along with the U. S. Navy, researchers from NASA Langley Research Center, NASA Dryden Flight Research Center and Scaled Composites. As the contest begins, the tree house detectives definitely have the "lift" on their competition.

Investing Synopsis

This short video gives a brief summary of the why, what, and how of NASA's involvement with the education community.