TV Schedule for Science - West
Wednesday, August 20th TV listings for Science - West
How the Universe Works Dawn of Life
Discovering how life on Earth came to be; the possibility that life on Earth come from another planet.
How the Universe Works The First Oceans
For years, scientists suspected that the oceans came from molecules delivered to Earth from distant stars by asteroids, but a new discovery suggests that their true origins may be more exotic.
Super Factories NASA's Rocket Factory
NASA's hi-tech rocket assembly facility pushes the limits of space exploration to new frontiers; here, engineers build an advanced rocket propulsion system that can send astronauts and cargo to the moon and back.
Special access to cutting-edge factories reveals how America's favorite foods are made and how assembly lines produce huge amounts of hot dogs, chocolate bars and other treats.
Super Factories Volkswagen Mega Factory
A state-of-the-art Volkswagen factory uses cutting-edge robot technology to produce 750 vehicles every day, and special behind-the-scenes access to the factory floor reveal how this facility is one of the most advanced in the world.
Super Factories World's Largest Steel Plant
The largest steel plant in the world is a high-tech super factory that takes production to astonishing levels, turning out 21 million tons of steel every year on a sprawling campus comprised of 50 individually operating subfactories.
Super Factories McLaren Supercar
McLaren's high-tech production center is as remarkably distinctive as the handcrafted automobiles it designs and produces, overtaking its supercar rivals through the application of Formula One science and sophisticated production standards.
Super Factories Rolls-Royce Super Engine
Legendary automotive brand Rolls-Royce is also one of the largest manufacturers of aircraft engines and produces the revolutionary Trent XWB, one of the world's most powerful, efficient and eco-friendly jet engines.
Super Factories Inside UPS Worldport
The UPS Worldport is a distribution powerhouse that connects the world and special access reveals what happens in the largest automated sorting hub on the planet; with its own fleet of 550 aircraft, it serves more destinations than any other airline.
Engineering Catastrophes Tower Crane Calamity
A crane collapse leaves seven dead on a holiday weekend in Manhattan; an investigation reveals how a shortcut taken while raising the crane left the machine swaying in the wind without proper lateral support.
Engineering Catastrophes Pacific Coast Bridge Collapse
Residents along the Pacific Coast Highway are cut off from the outside world after a storm causes a bridge to buckle; experts reveal how the construction method of the old concrete bridge left it vulnerable to erosion on the steep coastline.
Engineering Catastrophes Nebraska Bomb Cyclone
An aging dam in Nebraska is overcome by flooding after the area is hit with a devastating bomb cyclone; an investigation reveals that massive chunks of ice unleashed by the superstorm played a critical role in the failure of the old structure.
Destruction Decoded Earthquakes
Earthquakes occur when tectonic plates suddenly shift and shock waves shake the Earth's surface; they occur along fault lines -- the most active being the Ring of Fire in the Pacific Ocean and the San Andreas Fault on the American West Coast.
Engineering Catastrophes Island Observatory Failure
In Puerto Rico, an iconic observatory nestled into a giant crater has to close after cables holding up a critical platform come crashing down; experts analyze the cumulative effects that led to the collapse of this awe-inspiring structure.
Engineering Catastrophes The Fern Hollow Fiasco
On a snowy morning in Pittsburgh, a messy commute becomes dangerous after a bridge collapses; an investigation reveals how corrosion and other environmental factors helped bring down this decades-old structure.
Destruction Decoded Earthquakes
Earthquakes occur when tectonic plates suddenly shift and shock waves shake the Earth's surface; they occur along fault lines -- the most active being the Ring of Fire in the Pacific Ocean and the San Andreas Fault on the American West Coast.
Engineering Catastrophes Island Observatory Failure
In Puerto Rico, an iconic observatory nestled into a giant crater has to close after cables holding up a critical platform come crashing down; experts analyze the cumulative effects that led to the collapse of this awe-inspiring structure.
Engineering Catastrophes The Fern Hollow Fiasco
On a snowy morning in Pittsburgh, a messy commute becomes dangerous after a bridge collapses; an investigation reveals how corrosion and other environmental factors helped bring down this decades-old structure.
Engineering Catastrophes Nebraska Bomb Cyclone
An aging dam in Nebraska is overcome by flooding after the area is hit with a devastating bomb cyclone; an investigation reveals that massive chunks of ice unleashed by the superstorm played a critical role in the failure of the old structure.
Super Factories Rolls-Royce Super Engine
Legendary automotive brand Rolls-Royce is also one of the largest manufacturers of aircraft engines and produces the revolutionary Trent XWB, one of the world's most powerful, efficient and eco-friendly jet engines.
Super Factories Inside UPS Worldport
The UPS Worldport is a distribution powerhouse that connects the world and special access reveals what happens in the largest automated sorting hub on the planet; with its own fleet of 550 aircraft, it serves more destinations than any other airline.
Outrageous Acts of Science Body Rockers
Counting down just how far the limits of the human body can be pushed; experts test homemade gas masks and create music from blood; the most extreme body experiments on the web.
Outrageous Acts of Science Rebooters
Showcasing the creators who reimagine classic ideas, making them bigger and better than ever; massive mouse traps, an automatic dartboard, and a 20-foot abominable snowman.
NASA's Unexplained Files Aliens in the Amazon
After Neil Armstrong's moonwalk, he leads an expedition into the Amazon to find a legendary library that holds all knowledge of an advanced alien civilization; experts ask if a close encounter on the moon's surface inspired Armstrong's quest.