Aerodynamics: What Causes Lift?

How does an airplane stay aloft when upside down? This media-rich essay from the NOVA Web site offers an explanation based on Newton's third law of motion.

Airplanes: Designing for Stealth

Explore this NOVA interactive activity to see how engineers have modified a military plane's sound, shape, and heat emissions to minimize detection.

Astronauts in Hard Hats

This media-rich series of interviews from the NOVA Web site explores the unique challenges faced by astronauts doing construction work in outer space.

Composite Materials for Space

Discover why engineers use composite materials to build spacecraft prototypes in this video segment adapted from NASA 360.

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The Deployable Energy Absorber

Watch how engineers stage a crash to test a new helicopter safety design technology in this video from NASA.

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Design Inspired by Nature

In this stills collage produced for Teachers' Domain, see several examples of everyday inventions that were either inspired by nature or are similar in form and function to plants or animals.

Lightning Hunters

Find out how scientists and engineers use rockets to attract lightning in this video segment adapted from NOVA.

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Making Space Shuttle Tiles

Follow the fabrication process for the space shuttle's thermal tiles and see a surprising demonstration of their insulating qualities in this video segment adapted from NASA 360.

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Mars Dead or Alive: Welcome to Mars

This video segment from NOVA features the dramatic landing of the Spirit and Opportunity rovers on Mars.

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Mars Dead or Alive: Where to Land?

In this video segment from NOVA, engineers and scientists designing the Spirit and Opportunity rovers struggle to choose landing spots both safe enough for landing and geologically promising.

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NASA Aeronautics Research Onboard

In this interactive activity from NASA, learn some of the ways in which NASA's research has improved the safety, efficiency, and performance of aviation aircraft—from cockpit designs to the grooves on the runway.

Newton's Third Law of Motion: Astronauts in Outer Space

In this video segment adapted from NOVA, NASA learns hard lessons from the first American attempt to do work while "walking" in space. The video also explores Newton's third law of motion.

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Next-Generation Space Suits

In this video segment adapted from NOVA scienceNOW, MIT engineer Dava Newman is working to replace today's bulky, inflated space suits with a radical, sleek design that may one day allow astronauts to walk easily on Mars.

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Pilotless Flight: Timeline of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Explore this NOVA interactive timeline and discover the many technological innovations in the history of unmanned flight, from hot-air balloons to miniature flying robots.

Remotely Operated Vehicles

In this video adapted from the Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) Center, learn how some students are putting to work both technical skills as well as "soft" skills, such as teamwork and problem solving, in creating underwater remotely operated vehicles.

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Robofly

Featuring slow-motion footage of insects in flight, this video adapted from NOVA explores the engineering challenge of designing a robotic aerial vehicle that flies like a bug.

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Transforming the Future of Flight

In this video segment adapted from NASA, learn how engineers are transforming the future of flight by designing airplanes based on principles found in nature.

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