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NOVA scienceNOW: Space Elevator

Program Overview

NOVA follows scientists in their quest to produce an elevator to space made from carbon nanotubes.

This NOVA scienceNOW segment:

• explains how an elevator to space could be constructed from a special form of carbon—a nanotube.

• follows contestants in a NASA competition to build and race space-elevator prototypes.

• describes the amazing versatility of carbon, its special properties, and its geometric forms.

• explains how carbon nanotubes are made.

• outlines the cutting-edge research regarding production of carbon nanotubes that are long enough and strong enough to use in constructing a space elevator.

Taping Rights: Can be used up to one year after the program is taped off the air.