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A half a century ago, U.S. Air Force Captain Chuck Yeager successfully cracked the sound barrier.But for the first World War II fighter pilots to experience this freakish phenomenon, it seemed an impenetrable wall:As they approached a certain speed, their planes went out of control.The international race to build an aircraft that could withstand this uncanny force was fraught with danger, ambition, and intrigue -- and NOVA takes you behind the scenes to tell the real story of those who risked their lives to fly faster than sound.
Watch vintage footage of dramatic test flights -- and secret shots of Britain's promising, bullet-shaped M-52, which was mysteriously canceled before it got off the ground.Listen to visionary designers who invented wings, bodies, engines, and tails that pushed planes to supersonic limits.Meet the heroic pilots who had the right stuff -- those who survived -- like the invincible Yeager, who flew his rocket-powered X-I into aviation history on October 14, 1997, with a chest full of broken ribs.As one pilot says, "There's this feeling you have, this ridiculous feeling the young have, of immortality.And I think this is what allows you to press on."
Discover Your World With Nova
When it comes to the world around us, no one helps you understand it better than NOVA.Since 1973, NOVA has been sharing "adventures in science," exploring and explaining the fascinating mysteries that surround us to millions of viewers each week.NOVA tackles its subjects in an entertaining, enlightening and educational way, which accounts for the numerous Emmy Awards, critical acclaim from the entertainment and scientific communities, and devotion from the viewing public.America's longest-running and most-watched science program now comes to home video and invites you inside its exciting world.For young and old alike, NOVA is the perfect addition to every home video library.
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