William Shatner To Narrate Mars Rising

William Shatner will narrate a new series called "Mars Rising" on The Science Channel and The Science Channel HD. "Mars Rising" will tell the story of the first human mission to the red planet. The series will air in six parts, starting on Tuesday, October 30, 2007 at 9PM ET/PT and ending on Tuesday, December 4, 2007. "Curiosity, inspiration, imagination and wonder are at the center of space exploration. 'Mars Rising' embodies those qualities, showcasing scientists' high level of dedication to space exploration, as well as The Science Channel's elevated commitment to making their efforts immersive and engrossing for viewers." said Tom Cosgrove, COO and acting general manager, The Science Channel. With exclusive, behind-the-scenes access to space agencies and facilities in Europe, Russia and the United States, Mars Rising will introduce viewers to the visionaries and scientists laying the foundation for the manned mission to the planet Mars. The series also explores the idea of a new space race, with NASA setting its sights on reaching Mars by the year 2033, Russia's goal of reaching the red planet in 10 years and China working to become a new leader in manned space exploration. Using stunning CGI and dramatic re-creations, Mars Rising also considers what future Mars spacecraft might be, as well as what the red planet's surface might look like to the astronauts and how they might explore the planet. The six episodes of MARS RISING are as follows: "Journey to the Red Planet" Premiering Tuesday, October 30, at 9 PM (ET/PT) This episode sets the stage for the entire human mission to Mars project, exploring a future Mars city, the physical and mental challenges of the trip to Mars and international efforts to reach the red planet. "Rocket Power" Premiering Tuesday, November 6, at 9 PM (ET/PT) Viewers will go behind the scenes of the European Space Agency at work on spacecraft architecture and the interplanetary spacecraft that will transport the crew from Earth to Mars orbit. "Rocket Power" is the nuts-and-bolts-and-hands engineering episode that gives viewers an insider's look at the most difficult engineering challenge ever undertaken. "Staying Alive" Premiering Tuesday, November 13, at 9 PM (ET/PT) Preparing and protecting the crew from the deadly hazards of the journey to Mars will be critical to a successful mission. Viewers see firsthand how NASA and Russia are addressing the physiological challenges of extreme radiation and long-duration weightlessness, as well as the challenges of food supplies and astronaut communication with Earth. "The Human Factor" Premiering Tuesday, November 20, at 9 PM (ET/PT) Choosing the crew for the first mission to Mars could prove to be the most important casting call ever undertaken. Can humans endure the psychological extremes of a mission more than two years long? From determining whether a mixed-gender crew is feasible to testing team compatibility, this episode will examine the mental demands of the mission and introduce some of the candidates who could be the first humans to travel to Mars. "Six Minutes of Terror" Premiering Tuesday, November 27, at 9 PM (ET/PT) When the first human sets foot on Mars, mankind will have evolved to become an interplanetary species. In the case of Mars, it's more about the destination than the journey. In terms of risk and danger to crew, entering Mars' orbit is where the stakes become immeasurable. A second spacecraft will be required to get the crew safely down to the surface, but ideas on how this is going to be accomplished vary widely. Plunging through the atmosphere at a fiery 30 times the speed of sound, the pilot will have only one chance to get it right. "Search for Life" Premiering Tuesday, December 4, at 9 PM (ET/PT) After an odyssey spanning millions of miles, the quest for the Holy Grail of space exploration begins—the search for life on another planet. In this episode, viewers get exclusive access to leading-edge laboratories around the world where the prototypes for new spacesuits and rovers are under construction. MARS RISING was produced by Galafilm Inc., for The Science Channel. For The Science Channel, Julie Nadezna is executive producer. For Galafilm Inc., Arnie Gelbart and Phyllis Platt are executive producers.