Product Details

• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: PBS
• DVD Release Date: March 22, 2005
• Run Time: 60 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0007GP79G
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #173,754 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Go inside mission control and explore Mars with rovers Spirit & Opportunity.

Take an astounding look at the red planet in this interplanetary adventure that picks up where the acclaimed film MARS Dead or Alive left off. From the white-knuckle landings of the Mars rovers Spirit and Opportunity, through months of frustrating setbacks and elating discoveries, Welcome to Mars captures the gripping drama and the breathtaking images of the most significant mission events.

Mission Control and its two robotic explorers face a daunting task–find proof that liquid water, the essential ingredient of life, once existed on Mars. Just days into the mission, euphoria turns to despair as Spirit suddenly stops communicating with NASA. With the mission on the line, restoring communications with the rover becomes a nerve-shredding ordeal before the problem is solved. Then, Opportunity serendipitously lands near a scientifically valuable rock outcrop that provides crucial evidence allowing NASA to announce solid proof that Mars was once awash in water.

Through unprecedented access, Welcome to Mars presents a compelling inside story of triumph, technical ingenuity, and emotional drama packed with stunning images from an alien world.

Special DVD features include: materials and activities for educators; a link to the NOVA Web site; scene selections; closed captions; and described video for the visually impaired.

On one DVD5 disc. Region coding: All regions. Audio: Dolby stereo. Screen format: Letterboxed.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Too little depth. Read the Steve Squyres book instead., January 5, 2007

By 

Jon Gibson Mcgill (Kerava, Finland) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: NOVA: Welcome To Mars (DVD)

I liked the video because it contains real footage of the actual events that transpired when the rovers landed, but it's way too short and in too little depth. If it had been longer, then maybe it would have been good.

For anyone who has followed the MER mission or watched the webcasts on NASA tv, there is way too little that is new in this DVD. I recommend instead to read the Steve Squyres book, Roving Mars which is well written and details the MER project and the history leading up to this mission.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Walk on another world, September 11, 2006

By 

James Davison (Nashville, Tennessee United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: NOVA: Welcome To Mars (DVD)

The twin cameras mounted on the mast of the Mars rovers are spaced about the same distance as human eyes, and the same height as a person standing on the sandy desert. In this strange and alien place, you can walk in the wheel tracks of the first mobile explorers ever to venture onto the surface of another planet -- where every photo could contain a fossil or rock layer that holds the secrets of another planet's history. The engineering and scientific effort to achieve this is one of the greatest feats of our civilization, and surely one of the greatest thrills for anyone who has ever wondered about other worlds. Both rovers are still exploring, and new photos arrive every day. Personally, I can think of nothing more pleasant to enjoy with my morning coffee than a survey of the cold, hostile images of Mars -- free for anybody with an internet connection. Poet or engineer -- don't miss a chance to see your first up-close view of the red planet! -- Auralgo

5.0 out of 5 stars Another high-quality Nova production, November 30, 2011

By 

S. Hoover (North Carolina) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: NOVA: Welcome To Mars (DVD)

Great to view back-to-back with Mars: Dead or Alive.

I don't see why PBS charges so much for their Nova dvds-I'm not rich and can't afford their prices. I got this used like the few other Novas I own...