Throng

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC - Tuesday 8 June, 8.30pm

As South Africa prepares for the World Cup, the Johannesburg skyline is changing. A visionary project rises from the ground. Cranes tower over construction sites and gigantic viaducts are built to carry Africa's first high speed railway. At a cost of over US$3.5 billion and employing 90 thousand people, The Gautrain, or "golden train", is the biggest transport project ever undertaken in Africa. The team of international transport specialists is working on 65 sites simultaneously. They are blasting, drilling and tunnelling their way into the history books. Phase one of the project is planned for completion in time to transport thousands of World Cup visitors between the business district of Sandton and the country's busy OR Thambo Airport.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC - Monday 7 June, 9.30pm

In Taiwan an oil tanker has been forced into Kenting National Park after being caught up in the Pacific's typhoon season. It's all hands on deck to refloat the tanker and avoid one of the most catastrophic typhoons to hit Taiwan in the last 50 years, which is heading their way. Meanwhile, 8,000 miles away in Connecticut, USA, TITAN is faced with an unusual salvage operation, as it too battles against the clock in an attempt to drag an over two thousand ton dry dock, onto dry land.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC - Monday 7 June, 8.30pm

August 22, 1985. British Airtours Flight #28 is taking off from Manchester Airport for the Greek Island of Corfu. As the aircraft accelerates, a loud thud emanates from the fuselage and the pilots abandon takeoff. The pilots believe a tire has blown, but passengers on the left side of the plane can see the real problem: one of the engines is on fire. Soon, thick black smoke fills the cabin, panicked passengers struggle to escape and, just minutes later, the aircraft is completely ravaged by fire. 55 people die. Can investigators determine how a minor emergency turned into one of the worst disasters in British aviation history?

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC - Sunday 6 June, 8.30pm

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC - Sunday 6 June, 7.30pm

A deluge from outer space constantly washes over Earth. Space weather, comprising high-energy sub-atomic particles from the sun and other stars. We usually don't notice its impact. But a huge solar storm in 1859 hit Earth with tremendous force, wiping out telegraph communications across the world. What would it mean for our modern, technological world if it happened again? As scientists prepare for the storm of all centuries, evidence from the past is tested from Arctic ice cores and the historic record.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC - Friday 4 June, 8.30pm

Divers discover the wreck of an ancient Arab dhow off the coast of Singapore. The wreck gives maritime archaeologist Tom Vosmer a shot at a dream: to build and sail a unique replica. The quest leads Vosmer�s team deep into rainforests and deserts on a mission to unlock the secrets of a lost technology. But as the deadline for launch approaches, the project pushes the team to the limits of endurance; and brings the dhow to the brink of last-minute disaster.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC - Tuesday 1 June, 8.30pm

South Africa is the powerhouse of the African continent and, right now, it is also the biggest building site in the world. As the country prepares to welcome millions of soccer fans for the 2010 World Cup, the host cities are catapulted into mayhem. Architects and engineers work against the clock to complete three magnificent stadiums. Soccer City in Johannesburg will be host the opening World Cup ceremonies and the final game. Design teams are briefed to create a unique space that represents South Africa�s cultural melting pot.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC - Sunday 30 May, 8.30pm

Buffalo Airlines mechanic Cory races against the clock to turn two short-haul waterbombers into trans-Atlantic aircraft for the epic journey from Canada to Turkey. It's up to engineer Adam to get the C-46 crew out of a jam on a remote airstrip in minus 40. And when captain Devan and co-pilot Scott encounter the menace of wind shear at notorious Bear Rock, it's a hair-raising experience that tests their friendship.