Breakthrough: The Ideas That Changed the World

The Rocket

Learn the explosive history of the rocket, from its origin in ancient China, to its use as a weapon of war, to how adding hydrogen allowed it to carry astronauts all the way to the moon.

The Rocket

54m 51s

Learn the explosive history of the rocket, from its origin in ancient China, to its use as a weapon of war, to how adding hydrogen allowed it to carry astronauts all the way to the moon.

Previews + Extras

  • The Rocket Equation: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Rocket Equation

    S1 E5 - 2m 29s

    Franklin Chang-Diaz demonstrates the energy required to launch a rocket into space.

  • The Ultimate Rocket Fuel: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Ultimate Rocket Fuel

    S1 E5 - 2m 27s

    Jim Al-Khalili recreates Konstantin Tsiolkovsky’s thought experiments to demonstrate why hydrogen is the ultimate rocket fuel.

  • Episode 5 Preview | The Rocket: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Episode 5 Preview | The Rocket

    S1 E5 - 30s

    Learn the explosive history of the rocket, from its origin in ancient China, to its use as a weapon of war, to how adding hydrogen allowed it to carry astronauts all the way to the moon.

Similar Shows

WETA Passport

Stream tens of thousands of hours of your PBS and local favorites with WETA Passport whenever and wherever you want. Catch up on a single episode or binge-watch full seasons before they air on TV.