7.7/1017 votes#1 - Super Carrier: USS Ronald Reagan
Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 1/1/2004
The USS Ronald Reagan is a 4.5 billion dollars Nimitz-class supercarrier. Powered by 2 nuclear reactors, the 1100ft. long vessel is equipped with all the necessary facilities to house 6000 personnel and over 80 aircraft. Viewers are given an exclusive look at how the crew of these ‘floating naval base’ is put through a series of test in order to obtain their flight deck certification. Take a glimpse at the various facilities on the ship that keep the 6000 strong crew fed, rested, and entertained.
Director: N/A
Writer: Mike Kelly
- 7.2/1016 votes
#2 - Autobahn
Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired Unknown
What began as a racing track, and thanks to Adolf Hitler’s World War II propaganda efforts, the track grew into a sophisticated high-speed road system, linking to almost all the major cities in Germany. The Autobahn boasts of having super thick road beds, 4% or less grades, wide lanes, and build on layers of technology. The Autobahn allows vehicles to travel at speeds exceeding 160km/h for roughly 2/3 of its roads. The episode profiles the operations of the highway cops, and their reliance on technology in training, monitoring of roads and various methods of arrest. It also looks at the ADAC, an automobile club, which provides on the spot road assistance. Nicknamed ‘The Yellow Angels’, they also provide air medical rescue. The system of maintenance of the Autobahn is also examined. All this infrastructure makes this mega structure into one of the world’s most safest super highway.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
- 7.0/1026 votes
#3 - Channel Tunnel
Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired Unknown
The Channel Tunnel or Euro Tunnel is one of the world’s longest underground rail tunnels, and links England with France. Consisting of two rail tunnels and a small service tunnel in-between, they total 153 km in length. The documentary looks at the race between the British and the French to complete the tunneling of the Channel Tunnel and the obstacles faced in its construction.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
- 6.5/1014 votes
#4 - Sears Tower
Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 9/29/2004
For 20 years, the Sears Tower held the record for the world’s tallest building. Completed in 1973, the 110 stories high building is almost half a kilometer tall. And it still holds the record for having the world’s highest antenna. John Zils, structural engineer and designer of this mega-structure shares some of the secrets about the tower. And get a behind-the-scenes look at some of the various systems and controls that are vital to the building, like security monitoring, the elevators, and the water and power distribution to the various levels, and even the machines that cleans the windows.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
- 7.2/1021 votes
#5 - Kansai International Airport
Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 10/13/2004
Located 5 km off the coast of Osaka, Japan, is the Kansai International Airport. The airport is built entirely on a man-made island, 4 km long and 1 km wide. The only link between the island and Osaka is by the world’s longest 2-tiered bridge. Although the airport is built to withstand earthquakes and typhoons, the artificial island itself is sinking faster than anticipated. The episode looks at the various measures that are taken to keep the airport ‘afloat’, and the various facilities and services available to keep the airport running.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
- 7.3/1018 votes
#6 - Akashi Kaikyo Bridge
Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 10/20/2004
In 1955, two ferries sank along the Akashi Strait, Japan, killing 168 children. It led to a 30 year research on designing a bridge that would link the Awaji Island to Kobe; the bridge would also have to be able to withstand severe earthquakes and typhoons, a norm in that area. In 1988, Japan began construction of the world’s longest, highest and most expensive suspension bridge, the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge. The episode presents a stage by stage look at the construction of the suspension bridge, and the obstacles faced in its construction, including the Kobe earthquake in 1995.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
- 7.4/1017 votes
#7 - Itaipú Dam
Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 10/27/2004
In the Paraná River of South America, lies the Itaipú Dam. Costing 20 billion dollars, the Itaipú Dam is the world's largest and most powerful hydroelectric power plant. It is a representation of the efforts and accomplishment of two countries, Brazil and Paraguay. The episode examines the efforts undertaken and the sacrifices made to construct the dam, including how the largest diversion channel was constructed to divert water from the world’s 7th largest river away from the main construction site.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
- 6.7/1019 votes
#8 - Petronas Towers
Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 11/10/2004
Designed by Cesar Pelli, the Petronas Towers were the tallest buildings in the world on the date of its completion. Located in Kuala Lumpur, the design of the 88 storey, 450m tall twin towers, carries an Islamic geometrical influence. The towers are a symbol of Malaysia’s pride. To instill competition, the contract for the construction of the towers were awarded to two different construction companies, each company was assigned to work on one of the towers. This episode takes a look at how the construction companies competed to complete their tower before the other. Problems faced, from the soil samples, the unique cement mixture used as a steel substitute, to the tropical weather, are covered.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
- NaN/100 votes
#9 - Inside a Super Casino
Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 12/1/2004
Megastructures gets an inside look into the 13-year design and construction of Atlantic City's towering new casino, the Borgata.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
- NaN/100 votes
#10 - Money Factory
Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 12/31/2004
No description available
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
The Best Episodes of MegaStructures Season 1
Every episode of MegaStructures Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of MegaStructures Season 1!
MegaStructures is a documentary television series appearing on the National Geographic Channel in the United States and the United Kingdom, Channel 5 in the United...
Genre:Documentary
Network:National Geographic
Season 1 Ratings Summary
"Super Carrier: USS Ronald Reagan" is the best rated episode of "MegaStructures" season 1. It scored 7.7/10 based on 17 votes. Directed by N/A and written by Mike Kelly, it aired on 1/1/2004. This episode is rated 0.5 points higher than the second-best, "Autobahn".