Product ReviewsMars: The Quest for Life (Blu-ray Disc, 2009, Blu Ray)

Mars: The Quest for Life (Blu-ray)

This is one of the better documentaries on unmanned Mars missions. The Discovery Channel makes use of actual filmed footage and NASA animation from previous failed mission(as a historic bacground), pre-launch, launch,landing and post launch of the successful Martian Phoenix Lander in 2008. Interesting aspect is how the engineering design team was able to cobble-up a sophisticated robotic lander on a relativly shoestring (by NASA stanards)budget using an assortment of surplus components (ala Apollo 13), which necessitated the analysis and reingineering of the components and software to make unproven components designed for figter jets and alternate environments work in the remote, hostile Martian environment. Well done documentary could have been longer than its hour running time. Too bad Discovery Channel doesn't include additional features, such as interactive maps,timeline charts, photo galleries or a explore the robot interactive to the DVD. The push for an early release date after landing gave scarce results from the Phoenix Lander and begs for a sequel, hopfully as enjoyable as the first.Rating 4 Pulse Thrusters out of 5.Read full review...