01x04 - Just the Right Distance From the Sun/Solar Power Rover

[bunniefuu]

[together] Ready! Jet! Go!

- ♪ Jet Propulsion ♪

♪ That's his name ♪

♪ Jet Propulsion ♪

♪ He'll rocket to fame ♪

♪ When he arrived, he created a buzz ♪

♪ 'Cause there was no house ♪

♪ And then there was, he said ♪

- ♪ People of Earth! You ain't seen nothing yet! ♪

♪ I'm from Bortron , and my name is Jet! ♪

- ♪ Jet Propulsion ♪

♪ That's his name ♪

♪ He looks like us ♪

♪ But he isn't the same ♪

- ♪ I'm a space tripper and a galaxy crosser ♪

♪ My parents brought me here in a flying saucer ♪

- ♪ And just to prove it was a fact ♪

♪ He flew them out to space and back ♪

♪ Jet Propulsion ♪

[spaceship whirring]

- ♪ Jet Propulsion ♪

[together] Ready! Jet! Go!

- ♪ He showed up, and now it's a blast ♪

♪ Looks like the future really got here fast ♪

- ♪ Nice to meet you, human race ♪

♪ Tell me all about the place ♪

- Jet Propulsion!

- Jet Propulsion!

- Jet Propulsion!

all: Ready! Jet! Go!

[creaking]

[funky music]

♪ ♪

- Okay, Mindy-- I mean Venus--keep spinning.

Earth-Sydney, spin the other way.

Sean, you're Mars.

Hold these moons out where I can see 'em.

- Did I mention that I get space-sick easily?

- Yes.

Excellent training for when you're an astronaut someday!

- Yeah, but I'm feeling dizzy.

- I'm not dizzy.

Ooh, I'm still not dizzy.

Okay, now I'm dizzy.

[groaning]

[grunts]

- Keep spinning, everyone.

We've almost got our model of your solar system figured out!

- The Sun's too hot.

I'll get sunburned.

- Yeah, the actual Sun is kind of hot today.

- Let's take a break, okay?

- Earth is still going strong! Whoo!

- Jet, how come the Sun is so hot?

- Please, call me Jupiter.

- Jupiter, how come the Sun is so hot?

- Well, Venus, I guess because it's a very bright star.

It's one of the brightest in your part of the galaxy.

And it's an especially fantastic one.

- It is?

- Yeah, that star has been burning hydrogen

for billions of years!

And that makes energy.

The energy that comes in sunlight makes the grass

and plants and even that tree you're sitting under.

- It does? - Yep.

- So everything is making green stuff

because of the light and heat from the Sun?

- Yes! Ha! Your Sun is so cool!

- It's not cool; it's hot!

It's too hot!

- Yes, I know the Sun's hot, but from here on Earth,

it's kind of perfect--

not too hot or not too cold.

- Jet's right.

Scientists call the Earth a Goldilocks planet,

because its temperature is not too hot and not too cold.

It's just right--

the perfect distance from the Sun.

- "Goldilocks"? What a great Earth word.

What does it mean?

- It's from a little kid's story.

- Ooh, I love that story.

It's one of my favorites.

Will you tell it to us, Sydney?

- Well, once upon a time...

there was a little girl named Goldilocks,

because she had gold hair.

- And there were three bears,

and they made three bowls of porridge--

- Porridge?

- That's a kind of hot cereal.

- So then the bears went for a walk,

and then Goldilocks came into their house

to taste their porridge.

She tried Papa Bear's and said,

"Ouch! This is too hot!"

- And then she tried Mama Bear's and said...

- "Yuck! This is too cold!"

So, see, one bowl's too hot, and one bowl's too cold.

But one bowl...

- Or planet, like the Earth...

both: Was just right.

- Okay, that's true.

The Earth is just the right distance from the Sun.

- So if the Earth is a Goldilocks planet,

what's it like on the other planets,

to be too hot or too cold?

That must be awful!

- [gasps] I know!

Why don't we go into outer space and find out?

- Yes!

- You know, the thing is, we just went into space,

and I know I want to be an astronaut and all,

but I kind of am not comfortable in tight spaces,

and I get space-sick.

- Exactly!

I've been thinking about it, and I think what you need

to get over it is to go into outer space

a lot!

- Yeah, I don't really think--

- Great! We're all agreed!

We're going into space!

- Like Commander Cressida always says,

"A kid's place is exploring space!"

- Wait. Um...

- Looks like you're going to outer space again, Sean.

- Okay.

Just as long as we don't go all the way to Neptune this time.

- Hey, Mom?

We were wondering if you could take us out

to some of our neighbor planets.

- So you can find out

if there are any other Goldilocks planets?

Bortronians have excellent hearing.

- Plus, we can form an alien pyramid!

[grunting]

both: Ta-da!

[both clapping]

- I'd be happy to take you to some planets.

Carrot's busy making dinner in the kitchen.

You know how he loves researching

all those fascinating Earth recipes.

- Ha-ha, right!

I'm trying to make croquettes, or am I trying to play croquet?

Eh, I can't remember.

Oh, well, whatever I'm making, it won't be ready

for Earth minutes, so there's plenty of time.

- Great, hon!

You ready? Hop in.

- Um, is it actually okay to take the wagon into space?

You were just working on it.

- Oh, h*, of course it's okay!

I was only adjusting the perdle on the froonambulator.

Let's go check out some planets!

- Bye! My mom says I can't go farther than Jet's yard.

Plus I have rumba lessons.

[merengue music]

- Okay, Mindy.

We'll tell you all about the other planets--

which ones are too hot and which ones are too cold.

- And which one is just right.

- Okay. Ready?

- You're--you're sure about the perdle on your froon--

- ♪ , , , , ♪

♪ Doors are shut, engines on ♪

♪ Everybody in their place? ♪

♪ Let's go into outer space! ♪

[Sean screaming]

[spaceship whirring]

[adventurous music]

Well, if we want to compare Earth

with our nearest neighbors...

[jet engines whirring]

Venus is a great start,

because it's about the same size as Earth.

- Wow! It's such a lovely gold color!

But I bet that's not what it needs

to be a Goldilocks planet, is it?

- What a great question, Sydney! Let's ask Face.

- Face , ready to assist you.

Hello, Jet. Do you have a question?

- Hiya, Face! And, yes, we do!

What does a planet need to be a Goldilocks planet?

- Excellent question.

For a planet to be just right to support life, it needs

the right temperature-- not too hot or too cold--

liquid water, and a breathable atmosphere.

- You mean like air that you can breathe?

- Correct, Sydney.

Some planets have atmosphere, but it's poisonous to breathe,

or it's way too cold or way too hot,

like Venus, for example.

It's hotter here

because Venus is only million miles from the Sun.

- Right. The Earth is million miles from the Sun.

- Very good, Sean! - Thanks.

- But Venus is hot not only because it's close to the Sun.

This planet's atmosphere is filled with carbon dioxide gas.

This gas traps the Sun's heat.

- How hot does it get?

- Over degrees Fahrenheit on its surface,

hot enough to melt metal.

all: Whoa!

- All these qualities make Venus like the Earth's

evil twin, although it's similar in size

and not that much closer to the Sun.

- Okay, we're close enough to the evil twin.

degrees? Too hot!

- [laughs] Just like the Goldilocks story.

- Okay. Smell you later, evil twin!

[jet engines whooshing]

- Yeah! Here it comes.

Good old Earth!

I wonder what Mom's making for dinner.

Hey, uh, Mrs. Propulsion?

- Please, call me Celery.

- Um, Celery, we just passed my house.

- Right!

We're heading out to visit

our other planetary neighbor Mars.

[jet engines whirring]

- Ah, here we are, Mars, the fourth planet.

- Wow! It looks hot.

- Actually, it's quite cold, Sydney,

sometimes hundreds of degrees below zero.

- Brr. Too cold!

Just like the Goldilocks story.

- So Mars is a cool place to visit.

- At least you wouldn't melt.

- But you might freeze.

- Oh, look how small the Sun looks from Mars!

- Yeah, about half as big as it looks from Earth.

- Kind of sad like that,

a little white dot in a gray Martian sky.

It's all rusty red, but it gives me the blues.

That's good! I should write it down!

- We should go out even farther into the solar system.

- [gulps] You don't mean...

- Neptune!

- I was afraid you were gonna say that.

That's...really far!

Like a billion miles far!

- ,,, miles from the Sun, to be exact.

- ,,, miles.

- Don't fret, Sean. We'll be there in two snaps.

Remember, this saucer comes with interstellar overdrive.

[jet engines whirring]

And here's Neptune!

Let's turn around now.

- Wow!

The Sun looks so tiny here, just like a really bright star.

- Yep.

Out here, there's so little energy coming from the Sun,

I don't think any life would be possible on Neptune.

- [shivers] Okay.

I think it's time to get back to good old planet Earth.

Who's with me?

- I agree, Sean.

Let's check on Carrot, see how dinner is coming.

[computer beeping]

- Oh, hey, Celery! Hi, kids!

I'm playing croquet. Ooh, wonderful Earth game.

And, of course, I'm also making the croquettes.

In fact, they should be almost ready.

[sizzling]

Oh, if, uh, smoke is pouring out of the oven,

they're almost ready, right?

- Absolutely, I think.

Anyway, looks delicious. We'll be right home.

- 'Kay. How's the wagon running?

- Ehh...

I still think the perdle could use another adjustment.

- You're fine, though?

- Oh, you bet. Hunkle-y dory!

- Um, we are fine, right?

- Oh! [chuckles]

Of course, Sean! Ready?

Earth, here we come! Excelsior!

[jet engines whirring]

all: Ooh! Planet Earth!

- Yes! Whoo-hoo! - Yeah! We're home!

[all laughing and cheering]

- Wow!

All of this life down here is possible

because we're lucky enough to live not too far

and not too near to the huge energy of our Sun.

- You said it, sister!

Earth is special because it has all the things we need to live--

a temperature that's not too hot or too cold,

air that we can breathe, and lots of beautiful water!

- It's like Goldilocks said...

both: Just right!

- [giggles] - Yeah!

[jet engines whooshing]

[adventurous music]

[tires screech]

[all cheering]

Hello, Earth! I've missed you!

[smooches]

- See, Sean? You did great!

You made it all the way to Neptune,

and we're still back in time for dinner!

- So then Goldilocks tasted the porridge and said it was...

- Ah, it was...

all: Just right! [all laughing]

- Welcome to Mars!

Well, it's not really Mars,

but this is as close as we can get

to simulating the Martian surface

here at what we call the MarsYard

at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Hi, I'm astronomer Amy Mainzer.

Before we can send robots to Mars,

we need to put them through their paces here.

I'm here with Bettina Pavri,

and Bettina's an expert in the Mars Curiosity rover.

So, Bettina, what are we looking at here?

- This is actually a stunt double

for the Mars Curiosity rover,

and this rover is actually used to test the commands

that we're going to send to the rover on Mars

before we send them there.

- I imagine that talking to the rover on Mars

isn't quite like us having a conversation

here on Earth, is it?

- It's not. Actually, it takes a really long time

for the radio signals to get from Earth to Mars

and then get back to us.

It can take as little as about five or six minutes,

and as long as about minutes.

- It would be like me saying, "Hi, Bettina,"

and then five minutes later...

- That's right; I hear you, and then when I respond,

I'd respond to you, and it would take five minutes

for my "hi" to get back to you.

- So that means the rover has kind of got

to be able to take care of itself

when it's on Mars, right?

- That's right.

So it goes very slow, like a slow walking speed.

You can think of, like, a tortoise

moving along the ground.

And if it encounters a problem,

it has to be smart enough to stop itself and say,

"Hey, I need help."

- That's a distinct challenge, isn't it?

- Yeah, it's a challenging job.

- So the next time you're stuck in traffic,

just remember you're probably moving faster

than the Curiosity rover and just be glad

you don't have to drive over all these rocks to get home.

- [grunts]

[hollow thudding]

There you go, Sunspot. Fetch!

- [trills]

[trills]

- Attaboy, Sunspot!

- You got it! Bring it back!

- [squeaking]

[squeaks]

[hollow thudding]

- Jet, I think he's waiting for you to fetch it.

- Heh, that Sunspot.

He's still got a lot to learn about being an Earth pet.

- Oh, I'm sure he'll catch on.

- [gulps] - Or not.

- Maybe Sean's pet could help you train Sunspot.

- You have a pet?

- Yeah, kind of.

He lives at the DSA--

you know, the Deep Space Array--

where my parents work.

I call him my pet, but he's really a Mars rover robot.

- A pet and a robot combined? Wow!

- Yeah, he's really great.

I named him Shep.

- Shep? That's a funny name.

Shep...Shep...

Then again, all Earth names sound kind of funny

if you say them enough.

Propulsion!

Propulsion!

Ha-ha!

So when can I meet Shep?

- How about tomorrow?

- Sounds great! We can all go!

- Except me.

My mom says I'm not allowed to go past Jet's yard.

- It's fine, Mindy. We understand.

- I won't be lonely.

I'll just stay here with Stuffy Bear.

He's also not allowed to go past Jet's yard.

As soon as I'm five, we're out of here.

Well, I've got to go. Bye!

all: Good night, Mindy!

- Jet, time to come in and get ready for bed.

- Aw, Mom, do I have to? I'm not tired yet!

[yawning weakly]

See? I can't even pretend yawn.

- Oh, I know, but it's getting dark,

so if you want to be like the Earthies,

you better come inside.

- Oh, all right. Well, got to go!

See you tomorrow!

both: Good night, Jet!

- Here it is, our back entrance to the Deep Space Array.

See those radio dishes over there?

- Yeah, what are those for?

- Scientists here use them to listen for signals

from outer space, you know, to search for aliens!

- Neat-o! Have they ever heard anything?

- I'm not sure.

- Hello? Hello!

This is Jet from Bortron !

Anyone there?

- Jet, remember, you're undercover.

- Oh, yeah. Never mind!

- In the meantime, let's go in so you can meet Shep.

- So how do we get in? Climb?

- No, I have a key card.

It's for the grown-ups who work here and their kids.

[scanner beeps]

[gate creaks]

- Wow, you can come here anytime?

So where is this Shep robot pet, anyway?

- I've never had to look for him before.

He's always been right here at the gate.

[whistles]

Here, Shep! Here, boy!

- This is weird. No Shep anywhere.

Where do you think he could be?

I don't remember that door ever being closed.

- Hmm, maybe Shep's inside.

[grunts]

It's like it's jammed or something.

Maybe it's locked.

- Let me try.

- Suit yourself,

but there's no way anyone's going to be able to--

- Pull. Mm-hmm.

- I was just about to pull it.

[door thuds]

Shep? Shep, old buddy!

Come on out!

- Maybe he didn't hear us.

Let's all call him. Shep!

Come on, Shep! - Shep! Come on out!

- Here, Shep! - Shep!

- Come here! - Come here, boy!

- [whistles]

- I guess Shep's not in here.

[electronic beep]

- [gasps] I heard something.

[electronic beep]

- [gasps] Wait! That sounds like Shep!

[scraping and beeping]

- Shep!

Shep!

[beeping]

- What's he doing in here?

I thought he was a rover.

Shouldn't he be, you know, roving?

- Good question.

When I come here, he's always been right outside.

- He's stuck! Let's get him out.

[all grunting]

[crate thuds]

[whirring]

- There you go, Shep, just like new.

- Hey, Shep, nice to meet you.

- [droning]

- Shep doesn't look right.

- Shep, are you okay?

- [droning]

- That's strange.

It's like he's sick or something.

But he's a robot. He can't catch a cold.

- [mewling]

- Not now, Sunspot.

Shep is not working right,

and we have to figure out what's wrong.

- [trilling]

- Yes, Sunspot, we'll open the door to let you out in a sec.

- [squeaking]

- If we could just see what the problem is...

- Do you think Shep needs new batteries?

- Hmm, maybe we should open him up.

- Wait a sec, Jet. Let's think scientifically.

First, we write down all of our observations.

[whirring]

[door creaking, metallic clanging]

- Sean, what are all those numbers?

- I don't know yet, but I'm sure they're important.

- Hmm, let's see.

We know that Shep was stuck in a box.

- Now, does anyone have any other observations?

- Hey, where's Shep?

- And where's Sunspot?

- They must have gone outside, but why?

- Here, Shep! - Sunspot!

[whirring]

- Shep! I think he's doing better!

I wonder what happened?

- [trilling]

- Yes, Sunspot, we see that the sun is out.

Thank you.

- [squeaks]

- It's almost like Shep really needed some sun too.

He's got so much more energy now.

- Hey, that's right.

Shep did start looking better outdoors.

- Maybe the sun had something to do with it.

- [chirping]

- Wait a minute.

I think I can help us understand.

I speak "beep."

- [beeping]

- Boop? Really?

You mean the sun?

- [beeping]

- Oh, solar powered.

- [beeping]

- Wowza! Panels, huh?

- What did he say?

- Well, first of all, he is actually a she.

- What?

- And she says her name is Beep.

- Really?

All this time, we had no idea.

Boy, you think you know a robot rover.

What a surprise! - There's more.

She has a sister up on Mars named Boop.

- You mean like a twin?

- Beep and Boop. [laughs]

Funny. - [beeping]

- Yep.

She says that the DSA scientists

built two of the exact same rovers.

One's on Earth, and one's on Mars.

- Neat!

So Shep--I mean Beep-- is connected to Mars!

- So the scientists can use Beep down here

to help solve problems up on Mars with Boop.

- And all this time, I thought she was just a fancy robot pet.

I guess the only regular pet we have now is Sunspot.

[whimsical music]

- [squeaking]

- Sort of.

- What else can Beep tell us about herself?

- [beeping]

- What? No, I don't know.

How many robot rovers does it takes to change a lightbulb?

- [beeping and droning]

- [laughing]

! That's hilarious!

- Can you ask her more about the sun power thing?

- Sure. Beep, bop, boop?

- [beeping]

- Okay, the most important thing to know

is that she's solar powered.

She gets her power from the Sun.

- How does that work?

- Uh, I think we'll have to get FACE to explain.

- [electronic voice] Face is ready to assist you.

- Oh, hey, there, Jet

and Jet's friends.

I was just getting a little sun.

- You mean you're solar powered too?

- Right.

You see, solar power is how robots in space

can get energy from the sun.

- Can't you just plug things in?

- Hmm, where would you plug something in in outer space?

- Hmm, I guess I never thought of that.

- Don't worry. I have.

The Sun makes energy all the time,

but we have to capture it in order to use it again.

That's why Shep--I mean Beep-- here has solar panels.

They collect sunlight and store the energy in batteries.

- The Sun can keep making electricity

by shining on solar panels?

- Exactly!

And speaking of the Sun shining,

I've got to get back to my solar power storing,

or catching some rays.

- Sunspot knew it all along!

That's why he moved Beep outside.

- And it looks like our pets are good friends now.

- [beeping] - [trilling]

- [beeping]

- [laughs]

Boop! Beep, bop, boop!

Beep. Beep, bop.

- Note to self: learn to speak "beep."

- Come on, Beep, let's show Sunspot

how to play like a real pet!

[upbeat music]

♪ ♪

- Here, Sunspot! Catch!

[Frisbee whistling]

- [chuckles] That Sunspot.

He may never learn to fetch, but he sure is well-read.

Great to meet you, Beep. Oh, where are my manners?

Beep, bop, boop!

- [beeping]

- Remember to stay outside in the sunlight, Beep,

so you can stay strong.

- [beeping and droning]

[all laughing]

- [sighs] Hey, guys,

thanks for taking me to the DSA.

That place is the best!

- I learned a lot about solar power!

Who knew we could make energy with solar panels?

- Hey, speaking of solar energy,

I have a very big idea!

[quirky music]

- Yeah! Whoo-hoo!

- Yeah! - [giggles]

- Oh, good one! [laughs]

- Yeah!

- I'm glad you made these solar powered lanterns, Jet.

- Me too. Catch!

- [panting]

- Jet! Time to come in!

It's getting late!

- I know, Mom!

I promise to come in as soon as it gets dark.

- Okay.

Hey, wait a minute.

With all these solar powered lanterns,

it's going to stay light out here all night!

- Yep! We thought of that!

[all laughing]

- Hi, I'm astronomer Amy Mainzer.

And this is Dr. Ken Phillips,

the curator of aerospace science

at the California Science Center.

And this, this is "Endeavour."

"Endeavour" is one of five space shuttles

that were used for almost years

to take astronauts into space.

What are some of your favorite missions

that this space shuttle flew?

- My very favorite mission was the first repair

of the Hubble Space Telescope.

- When the Hubble Space Telescope was first launched,

it was the most ambitious telescope of its kind,

but when the Hubble took its first pictures from space,

the images were blurry.

Scientists soon figured out

that its lens was the wrong shape,

so NASA sent the shuttle "Endeavour" to fix it.

- And it came out in a very special way.

There's a giant arm,

and an astronaut would perch on the end of it.

Now imagine you're sort of going around the Earth,

and it's, like, way hundreds of miles--

- That's a long way down, yeah.

- And you're on the end of this stick,

and then they're guiding you carefully to the Hubble,

and you got to grab it.

- And just go in and do the fixes

on the Hubble space telescope.

That's pretty impressive.

So can you imagine how hard it must have been to fix

something as complicated as the Hubble Space Telescope in space?

- You got on a space suit.

And so think of thick gloves around your hands.

You can't sense anything in your fingers,

and the space suit is inflated

so you can breathe and it has pressure.

- It'd be like trying to work wearing a giant suit of tires

or something like that.

- That's a good example.

- Even with all of that difficulty,

the astronauts did fix the Hubble Telescope,

and it gave us some of the most beautiful images

we've ever seen of the universe.

Thanks to the entire Hubble repair team.

- ♪ Jet Propulsion ♪

[together] Ready! Jet! Go!

[upbeat music]

♪ ♪

- Jet Propulsion! - Jet Propulsion!

- Jet Propulsion!

[together] Ready! Jet! Go!