Back in 1980 twelve-year-old Brian Cox wrote to NASA asking for photos from some of their missions to the planets. The images they sent him from Voyager and the Viking mission to Mars inspired him to become the physicist he is today.

Now watch as he has the chance to visit NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab to witness the workings of the Mars mission as it guides the Perseverance rover and the Ingenuity helicopter (the first powered aircraft we have ever sent to another planet) across the surface of Mars. Seven Days on Mars, a feature-length documentary for BBC Two follows Professor Cox’s visit as, just over a year after touching down on the red planet, Perseverance embarks on the most demanding part of its mission to date – striking out at ‘top speed’ for the sites most likely to reveal signs of life.

This Production Focus brings together the production team to explore their approach to filming such a unique event, the background to gaining this special access, and the technical and editorial challenges of bringing such an exciting story to life.

Chair: 
Ash Potterton - Executive Producer, Arrow Media

Panel:
Professor Brian Cox CBE, Physicist and TV Presenter
Michael Lachmann, Director of Seven Days on Mars 
Vandi Verma, Chief Engineer, Perseverance Robotic Operations, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Producers: Terry Marsh/Phil Barnes