Colossal Machines

In April 1981, the first Space Shuttle launched, ushering a new era of space exploration as the first reusable spacecraft. Carrying the shuttle and its space faring rocket siblings to the launch pad is the equally monstrous NASA Crawler, capable of delivering massive weight of space vehicles without dislodging even a wire. For the past two decades when we look up to the night sky, we can see the glint of the largest human made machine in space. Maintaining the ISS systems requires out of this world thinking, from its water supply to its secret defence against orbital debris. But some of our deepest understanding of the universe comes from the ground where the Very Large Telescope array has engineering tricks up its sleeve that allow us to peer farther back in time than ever before. Unlocking the secrets of the cosmos requires amazing machines and what's under the hood of these technical wonders is nothing short of rocket science.

How do you move an aircraft carrier? Can you make a warship disappear? How does an oil rig withstand hurricane winds? And, when the Ohio class submarine dives to the bottom of the ocean, how does this stealthy giant stay intact and silent? Since the dawn of time humans have braved the tides and waves, navigating one of the most powerful forces on earth. But with cutting edge technology the barriers to extreme water travel have been broken. Now, take a look inside these engineering marvels to unlock their secrets.

Since the beginning of humankind, we've looked to the sky and envied the flight of birds. Now, since the explosion of air travel, we dare to push the boundaries of science, going faster, farther and with bigger cargo...

It's hard to imagine a more inhospitable environment than the sub-freezing temperatures of the arctic regions. Yet humans have lived, explored, and worked here for centuries. What does it take to engineer a massive plane that can carry cargo to and from the polar region? How can the next generation of super Ice Breakers provide a lifeline in places even aircraft can't reach easily? What secret ingredients go into the rarely seen but incredibly critical rotary snow plough to ensure trains don't derail in icy regions? And meet two wonderfully versatile all-terrain vehicles that can move through snow where everything else sinks to a halt. With climate shifting and resources critical in remote frozen areas, these cool machines are truly game changers.

They are every kid's dream, massive digging toys on a scale nearly impossible to visualize. And yet, these monstrous earth biters are not only real, they are super machines. From the truly gargantuan Bagger dragline excavator that can produce enough raw material to power a small city in a day, to the massive Big Red oil pump that puts a new spin on an age-old tech. How do you design a dump truck and excavator that are taking us into the new generation of climate friendlier mining monsters that can still do the job? And why does a colossal machine the size of a building 'walk' between its job sites? These truly are some of the biggest most powerful mechanical feats humans have ever built.

Since the moment humans picked up tools, we've been a building species. Constantly pushing the boundaries of materials and equipment, we strive to perfect machines and other creations. Now, the machines that create machines are even bigger, better, and require quite literally cutting-edge technology. From the world's largest 3D printer that can print a full vehicle in less than 48 hours, to a tunnel boring machine that built a highway under a metropolis, to cranes where the only word to describe them is Goliath, to super CNC machines that can cut metals into single piece massive parts the way a sculptor fashions an image out of a block of stone. These are not just colossal machines, they are the future of manufacturing.