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JPL and the Space Age: The American Rocketeer

1 hours 29 minutes 19 seconds
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Black and white photo of a man posing with a small space rocket next to him. Text reads, “Frank J. Malina, The American Rocketeer, Beginnings of the Space Age.”

Frank Malina, an idealistic Caltech graduate student, played a fundamental role in the evolution of American rocketry. This episode tells his largely unknown and uncelebrated story of leading a motley crew of amateur rocket enthusiasts in hopes of one day reaching space. His research led to building rockets for the U.S. Army during World War II; however, his country would turn on him and declare him an international fugitive. Through it all, he kept meticulous records, hoping to ensure his pioneering role in American rocketry. Part of the "JPL and the Space Age" series. Please note this title contains potentially offensive language and images of concentration camps during World War II.

Media Details

Runtime: 1 hours 29 minutes 19 seconds

Black and white photo of a man posing with a small space rocket next to him. Text reads, “Frank J. Malina, The American Rocketeer, Beginnings of the Space Age.”
JPL and the Space Age
Episode 1
1 hours 29 minutes 19 seconds
Grade Level: 10 - 12
Woman with her back facing us and a man sitting next to her are on computers at a long desk. There’s a sign above the computer screens that reads, “Jet Propulsion Laboratory. California Institute of Technology.”
JPL and the Space Age
Episode 2
53 minutes 17 seconds
Grade Level: 10 - 12
View of the moon with half of it covered in darkness
JPL and the Space Age
Episode 3
58 minutes 54 seconds
Grade Level: 10 - 12
View of Mars in space. Text reads, “The Changing Face of Mars.”
JPL and the Space Age
Episode 4
1 hours 26 minutes
Grade Level: 10 - 12
Still image from: JPL and the Space Age: The Stuff of Dreams
JPL and the Space Age
Episode 5
1 hours 27 minutes 8 seconds
Grade Level: 10 - 12
White glowing orb on a black background. Text reads, “The Footsteps of Voyager.”
JPL and the Space Age
Episode 6
55 minutes 38 seconds
Grade Level: 10 - 12
View of Earth in space. Text reads, “To The Rescue.”
JPL and the Space Age
Episode 7
57 minutes 28 seconds
Grade Level: 10 - 12
Black Background with text that reads, “The Pathfinders.”
JPL and the Space Age
Episode 8
59 minutes 56 seconds
Grade Level: 10 - 12
Black and white photo of a man walking up steps to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory building. “The Breaking Point.”
JPL and the Space Age
Episode 9
1 hours 47 minutes 4 seconds
Grade Level: 10 - 12
Bright white orb on a black background. Text reads, “Saving Galileo, JPL and the Space Age.”
JPL and the Space Age
Episode 10
59 minutes 31 seconds
Grade Level: 10 - 12
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