INTERVIEW: Science Channel explores ‘Space’s Deepest Secrets’
The solar system, galaxy and universe are the subject of a brand-new series from Science Channel. Space’s Deepest Secrets, which airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m., is not so much concerned with what viewers already know about the great beyond. Instead, the series looks into the many brave men and women who have dedicated their lives and staked their professional careers on the exploration of the unknown, hunting for secrets of how the cosmos functions.
The premiere episode in April looked at the New Horizons mission, a well-documented and multi-year investigation of Pluto, perhaps the most infamous and controversial of all “planets” in the sky. Other episodes look into the technology needed by future humans to survive what might be the end of the solar system, the possibility of water on faraway moons and planets, and BAE Systems’ quest to counter gravity.
The TV series, jointly produced by the BBC and Red Marble for Science Channel, has a seemingly endless amount of content at its disposal. That’s where Wyatt Channell, executive producer of the network, comes in. He has helped shepherd and develop Space’s Deepest Secrets, and he sees the future is quite bright for the series. Channell is also executive producer of Science Presents DNews, a nightly news program that recently saw President Barack Obama as its host, Outrageous Acts of Science and NASA’s Unexplained Files.
Recently, Hollywood Soapbox exchanged emails with Channell. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.
What’s the main mission, pun intended, of Space’s Deepest Secrets on the Science Channel?
The universe always seems to be a few steps ahead of us. For every great discovery we make, new questions arise with even more profound implications. In many ways, Space’s Deepest Secrets is a celebration of this limitless cycle of discovery and renewal. We want to inspire our audience by exploring this process, guided by some of the world’s leading scientists and those who engineer and execute NASA missions.
After the first couple of episodes, what can audiences expect as the season progresses?
Our viewers can expect new destinations and a unique perspective on the universe each time they tune in. This week’s episode, “Alien Oceans,” is a quest through the solar system’s exotic and hidden bodies of water that includes prehistoric oceans that once existed on Mars and the deep seas below the icy crust of Europa.
How complicated were the productions on these episodes?
It really varies based on the topic. Some episodes are more CGI-driven, while other shows are more theoretical or benefit from visual analogies. Talking about the hunt for dark energy is very different from exploring how the Voyager mission continues to change our understanding of the solar system. Fortunately, we have experts in each episode who know the subject matter and make each story come to life.
When you consider the many secrets of space, do you smile or frown? Are the cosmic queries an opportunity for exploration or evidence of our demise?
I’m an optimist, at least about cosmic queries. Our boundless inquisitiveness is perfectly tempered to explore the vastness of space. We’re all adventurers and travelers in our own way. Plus, there’s so much news right now around space. We share breaking news stories each night in our DNews at 9 news updates (which I also produce!). Just this month, NASA’s Kepler mission announced the discovery of almost 1,300 new planets, including nine that could be habitable.
Does your fascination with space and adventure go back to when you were a child?
It does. I grew up on Star Trek: The Next Generation, which is a very different type of program. Nonetheless, I’d like to think we provide a similar viewer experience in some ways. Each week we explore “strange new worlds” with some of the planet’s leading scientists, albeit with a much lower jumpsuit-to-participant ratio.
Do you believe there are enough “deep secrets” to warrant future seasons?
The universe is a pretty big place. I hope there will be more of these stories shared this year.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Space’s Deepest Secrets airs on Science Channel at 9 p.m. Click here for more information.
