0:00:02 > 0:00:04- This is... BOTH:- Absolute Genius. - SCREAMING
0:00:04 > 0:00:07Come with us as we dive into the wonderful world of technology.
0:00:07 > 0:00:09This is mind-blowing!
0:00:09 > 0:00:12Each show, we introduce you to geniuses whose inventions
0:00:12 > 0:00:14have changed the world forever.
0:00:14 > 0:00:15- Oh!- Agh!
0:00:15 > 0:00:18We then take their tech and supersize it
0:00:18 > 0:00:20in our Genius Tech Challenge.
0:00:20 > 0:00:21The question is...
0:00:21 > 0:00:23Can we pull it off?!
0:00:23 > 0:00:24Is this his brain?
0:00:24 > 0:00:28If you love gadgets, then strap yourself in!
0:00:28 > 0:00:30- It's genius.- Absolute Genius.
0:00:31 > 0:00:33YELLING
0:00:33 > 0:00:35Ignition and lift-off.
0:00:35 > 0:00:40On this show, we're checking out the very latest in space technology.
0:00:40 > 0:00:42- How much is this one?- 15 million.
0:00:42 > 0:00:47And we're going to discover exactly what it's like to be an astronaut.
0:00:47 > 0:00:50- You're going to crash into the wing of the space station!- What?! No!
0:00:50 > 0:00:52He's the worst astronaut we've ever seen!
0:00:52 > 0:00:54LAUGHTER
0:00:54 > 0:00:58Plus, we're let loose in a real NASA space vehicle.
0:00:58 > 0:00:59Whoa!
0:00:59 > 0:01:02And ride over some of the toughest terrains the galaxy has to offer!
0:01:02 > 0:01:05THEY SCREAM
0:01:37 > 0:01:38Now, then, do you love space?
0:01:38 > 0:01:40Do you want to know all about the space tech
0:01:40 > 0:01:42that's helped us get there?
0:01:42 > 0:01:45- Of course you do! I mean, who wouldn't?- Well, him.
0:01:47 > 0:01:49Apart from him, everyone loves space.
0:01:49 > 0:01:50Anyway, give us a countdown, dear.
0:01:50 > 0:01:51- Five.- Get ready...- Four.
0:01:51 > 0:01:54- ..for us to introduce you to not one, but...- Three.
0:01:54 > 0:01:56- ..geniuses whose space tech...- Two.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59- ..have made it possible...- One. - ..for us to reach for the stars.
0:01:59 > 0:02:03Blast off! ROCKET ENGINES BLASTING
0:02:03 > 0:02:05Since the dawn of time, us humans
0:02:05 > 0:02:08have been obsessed with the world above our heads,
0:02:08 > 0:02:13but the idea of going INTO space only existed in science fiction.
0:02:13 > 0:02:17That all changed in 1942 when German engineer Wernher von Braun
0:02:17 > 0:02:22created the V-2 - the first rocket to ever go to the edge of space.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28Thanks to the genius of von Braun, space was finally within our reach.
0:02:28 > 0:02:32But what was needed next was not only a way to get into space,
0:02:32 > 0:02:34but a way of surviving the trip.
0:02:34 > 0:02:36And that's where our first genius comes in.
0:02:36 > 0:02:39Introducing to you space pioneer and all round space tech genius...
0:02:39 > 0:02:41Sergei Korolev.
0:02:41 > 0:02:43From Russia with love, baby.
0:02:45 > 0:02:50Back in the 1950s, the USA and the Soviet Union, led by Russia,
0:02:50 > 0:02:53were rivals in a race to get to space.
0:02:53 > 0:02:57Sergei Korolev was a Russian engineer who was determined
0:02:57 > 0:02:59to beat the Americans.
0:02:59 > 0:03:03In 1957, he launched the first ever satellite into space,
0:03:03 > 0:03:04Sputnik 1.
0:03:04 > 0:03:08Korolev made history again in 1961,
0:03:08 > 0:03:11when he launched the first ever human into space,
0:03:11 > 0:03:13a man called Yuri Gagarin,
0:03:13 > 0:03:17and it was all down to his incredible creation, the Vostok.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22So, to find out more about this incredible piece of technology
0:03:22 > 0:03:27we've come to the Science Museum where they have an actual Vostok.
0:03:28 > 0:03:30And who better to tell us
0:03:30 > 0:03:31about Korolev's design,
0:03:31 > 0:03:32than Doug Millard,
0:03:32 > 0:03:35the Science Museum's chief space expert?
0:03:37 > 0:03:39- Doug, this is Vostok- 6? This is it.
0:03:39 > 0:03:42This is the same as Vostok 1, which took Yuri Gagarin into space?
0:03:42 > 0:03:43Pretty much identical.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46It doesn't look like you're your average spacecraft. Why is it round?
0:03:46 > 0:03:50It needs to be simple but strong. No corners, no weak points.
0:03:50 > 0:03:53It just needs to survive in space and come back to Earth.
0:03:53 > 0:03:56What type of technology is involved with the Vostok 6?
0:03:56 > 0:03:58It's got to have its own air supply,
0:03:58 > 0:04:00it's got to have radio communications.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03The core is metal, but it's covered in this heat shield,
0:04:03 > 0:04:07which is a sort of mixture of different materials that burn away.
0:04:07 > 0:04:09That's what keeps the cosmonauts alive inside.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14When the Vostok re-entered the Earth's atmosphere,
0:04:14 > 0:04:18it was travelling at 17,000 miles per hour
0:04:18 > 0:04:23and the capsule reached a temperature hotter than a volcano!
0:04:23 > 0:04:25Korolev's design could withstand all of this
0:04:25 > 0:04:29and still kept Yuri Gagarin safe as he travelled back to Earth.
0:04:29 > 0:04:31The world was amazed.
0:04:33 > 0:04:37Why is the design of the Vostok 1 and 6 so special?
0:04:37 > 0:04:39Well, it has to keep a human being alive.
0:04:39 > 0:04:41There's no air up there,
0:04:41 > 0:04:45so it's got to keep the cosmonaut alive in the vacuum of space.
0:04:45 > 0:04:47- Vacuum?- Vacuum?- Vacuum of space?
0:04:47 > 0:04:49Two seconds, Doug, we're just going to have a little chat.
0:04:49 > 0:04:51Keep yourselves busy.
0:04:51 > 0:04:52Look, he's a lovely man,
0:04:52 > 0:04:54but I don't understand this vacuum business.
0:04:54 > 0:04:56What's my vacuum cleaner got to do with this?
0:04:56 > 0:04:58- I don't know. We need some help. Fran!- Fran!
0:04:58 > 0:05:00Are you ready?
0:05:00 > 0:05:03Meet Fran, our scientist friend who can explain things in a way
0:05:03 > 0:05:04even we can understand.
0:05:04 > 0:05:06- Oh!- Oh, no, no!
0:05:06 > 0:05:09- And she loves a good experiment. - Exactly!
0:05:09 > 0:05:11Best of all, she pops up whenever we need her most.
0:05:11 > 0:05:13- Hello!- Hey, Fran.
0:05:13 > 0:05:15SHE LAUGHS
0:05:15 > 0:05:18So, what Doug was talking about was the vacuum of space.
0:05:18 > 0:05:20- But what is it?- Well, up in space,
0:05:20 > 0:05:23- it's a very different environment to how it is on Earth.- It is.
0:05:23 > 0:05:27Here on Earth, we have the same air inside us as outside us.
0:05:27 > 0:05:30We're balanced so we don't feel the pressure of the air around us.
0:05:30 > 0:05:34- Right.- But up in space, there's hardly any air - that's the vacuum.
0:05:34 > 0:05:38And so, it's a very dangerous place for us humans.
0:05:38 > 0:05:40And that's where the pressurized Vostok comes in.
0:05:40 > 0:05:42Why is there an egg in there?
0:05:42 > 0:05:46Well, believe it or not, I'm going to create space inside of this jar,
0:05:46 > 0:05:49by removing some of the air using my special vacuum pump.
0:05:49 > 0:05:50That's supposed to be an astronaut?
0:05:50 > 0:05:53They've forgotten their spacecraft and their spacesuit.
0:05:53 > 0:05:56- So you're creating a vacuum. - I am creating a vacuum.
0:05:56 > 0:05:58- MACHINE WHIRS - Oh.
0:05:58 > 0:06:01- It's sucking all the air out? - It is, the air is being removed.
0:06:01 > 0:06:03- Ugh! Hold on.- Hey!
0:06:03 > 0:06:06Why is all the egg white spewing out of his holes?
0:06:06 > 0:06:08When there is no air, there's none of that air pressure
0:06:08 > 0:06:11to stop the insides from, basically, coming out.
0:06:11 > 0:06:14So, that would happen to an astronaut in space?
0:06:14 > 0:06:16Yeah, what happens if you go into space
0:06:16 > 0:06:19- without a pressurised spacecraft or spacesuit...- Agh!- Yeah.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22What happens is not only does your body get much, much bigger,
0:06:22 > 0:06:26but your insides start coming out of, basically, any hole it can find.
0:06:26 > 0:06:27- Oh, no.- Yeah, eugh.
0:06:27 > 0:06:32So, you vomit and you wee yourself and you do poo yourself as well.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35- OK, turn it off.- Agh. - I'm not going to space any more.
0:06:35 > 0:06:37Well, the thing is, you might think space is dangerous
0:06:37 > 0:06:39but that's where the genius of the Vostok comes in.
0:06:39 > 0:06:41So, we're going to do this experiment again,
0:06:41 > 0:06:43but with my version of a Vostok.
0:06:43 > 0:06:45Great, let's do it! Clouds!
0:06:45 > 0:06:48This is my version of the Vostok.
0:06:48 > 0:06:51I'm going to remove the air again from inside that jar,
0:06:51 > 0:06:54but the air inside the cup should remain unchanged.
0:06:54 > 0:06:56- Ready?- Yup.- Three, two, one.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59- MACHINE WHIRS - Is he going to be all right?
0:06:59 > 0:07:02- There's nothing squirting out of his mouth.- Nope.- It's all good.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05That's the clever thing - the air inside of that glass hasn't changed
0:07:05 > 0:07:06because it's all sealed in.
0:07:06 > 0:07:08- That's how the Vostok works. - Exactly.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11- Good work, Franny. - Another experiment complete.
0:07:11 > 0:07:13- That's what Doug was talking about with the vacuum.- Exactly.
0:07:13 > 0:07:15- Doug.- Doug!- Doug.- Doug!- Doug.- Doug!
0:07:17 > 0:07:19Thanks to the genius of Sergei Korolev
0:07:19 > 0:07:21and his pressurised spacecraft,
0:07:21 > 0:07:24we now had the technology to send humans to space.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27The door to the cosmos was well and truly open
0:07:27 > 0:07:33and in 1969, Neil Armstrong made history by walking on the moon.
0:07:33 > 0:07:34Beautiful view.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37But not everything that was sent to the stars
0:07:37 > 0:07:38has been so genius.
0:07:38 > 0:07:40It's time for...
0:07:43 > 0:07:48Back in 1977, NASA launched a small spacecraft to explore outer space.
0:07:48 > 0:07:49Genius!
0:07:49 > 0:07:52But here's the not so genius bit...
0:07:52 > 0:07:57On board was a golden record that had sounds and music from Earth.
0:07:57 > 0:07:59They believed that if any aliens found it,
0:07:59 > 0:08:02then they could hear what Earth sounded like.
0:08:02 > 0:08:05Problem is, on Earth, records these days are old-school
0:08:05 > 0:08:07and the only people who play them are superstar DJs.
0:08:07 > 0:08:10So unless, the aliens are putting on a rave,
0:08:10 > 0:08:12they'll probably just wonder what it is.
0:08:12 > 0:08:14- Or try to eat it.- Mmm!
0:08:15 > 0:08:18So far, we've seen how space technology has allowed
0:08:18 > 0:08:20us humans to fly into space.
0:08:20 > 0:08:23- And even land on the moon. - But what about living there?
0:08:23 > 0:08:26For that, we can thank our second genius,
0:08:26 > 0:08:29whose ideas led to the Space Station.
0:08:29 > 0:08:31- It's Konstantin Tsiolovsky. - Tsiolovsky.- Tsiolkovsky!
0:08:31 > 0:08:34- Tsiolovsky.- Tsiolkovsky! - Tsiolovsky.- Tsiolovsky.
0:08:34 > 0:08:35TSIOLKOVSKY!
0:08:35 > 0:08:38Konstantin Tsiolkovsky was a genius
0:08:38 > 0:08:40whose ideas were way ahead of their time.
0:08:40 > 0:08:44In 1903, when the aeroplane was taking its first ever flight,
0:08:44 > 0:08:46Tsiolkovsky was envisioning scientific ways
0:08:46 > 0:08:48of getting into space.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51He calculated back then that to get a craft into orbit,
0:08:51 > 0:08:55it would have to travel at 18,000 miles per hour!
0:08:55 > 0:08:57And 30 years later, he released a paper
0:08:57 > 0:09:01where his designs showed the technology that would be needed
0:09:01 > 0:09:03so humans could live in space.
0:09:04 > 0:09:07Tsiolkovsky knew what we needed to live in space
0:09:07 > 0:09:09all the way back in 1903.
0:09:09 > 0:09:11That's amazing. It really is mind-blowing,
0:09:11 > 0:09:14But what we need is a genius expert to tell us more about this.
0:09:14 > 0:09:18Ah, Doug. Do you know when the Tsiolkovsky expert's turning up?
0:09:18 > 0:09:20- Er, it's me!- You again!
0:09:20 > 0:09:22I'm mean - it's you again! That's great!
0:09:23 > 0:09:24To tell us more about
0:09:24 > 0:09:26the genius of Tsiolkovsky,
0:09:26 > 0:09:29it's space expert Doug...again!
0:09:29 > 0:09:31Well, Doug, you're the expert,
0:09:31 > 0:09:33why don't you tell us about Tsiolkovsky's genius?
0:09:33 > 0:09:35We'll he worked out how to get into space,
0:09:35 > 0:09:37you'd need to use rockets.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40And then he worked out how to survive in a weightless environment.
0:09:40 > 0:09:44So, Doug, these are Tsiolkovsky's original drawings?
0:09:44 > 0:09:47Yeah. I mean, he was really a visionary.
0:09:47 > 0:09:49He was, in a way, predicting the future.
0:09:49 > 0:09:51When was the first space station launched?
0:09:51 > 0:09:54Way back in 1971 - Salyut.
0:09:54 > 0:09:56Salyut 1 was the first of many space stations
0:09:56 > 0:10:01that have been launched into orbit, and all of them have used technology
0:10:01 > 0:10:04proposed in Tsiolkovsky's designs from decades before.
0:10:05 > 0:10:08The most famous of all them is the International Space Station,
0:10:08 > 0:10:11which has been in orbit for over 15 years
0:10:11 > 0:10:14and has a picture of Tsiolkovsky onboard.
0:10:17 > 0:10:19Is there anything documented here
0:10:19 > 0:10:21that is still used in a space station today?
0:10:21 > 0:10:23Yeah, he got so many things right.
0:10:23 > 0:10:26He got a spacewalk, just as Leonov did it in 1965,
0:10:26 > 0:10:28decades before it happened.
0:10:28 > 0:10:30- That is incredible!- That is genius.
0:10:30 > 0:10:32Really interesting stuff. Thanks, Doug.
0:10:32 > 0:10:33How do we actually get up there?
0:10:33 > 0:10:35- You can't.- Right.- Oh. - But have a word with NASA.
0:10:35 > 0:10:37They'll be able to tell you about space stations.
0:10:37 > 0:10:39- OK.- NASA? Houston? Texas?
0:10:39 > 0:10:42- Yeah.- We can get in? - Don't know about that.- Oh.
0:10:42 > 0:10:44- Maybe we'll go and try and blag it. - Let's blag it.
0:10:44 > 0:10:45- Cheers, Doug.- Cheers Doug.
0:10:45 > 0:10:47I wouldn't let them in.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52The NASA Johnson Space Centre is where all American astronauts
0:10:52 > 0:10:55come to train before they go into space.
0:10:55 > 0:10:57ALARM SOUNDS
0:10:57 > 0:11:01And unbelievably, they've given us exclusive access!
0:11:01 > 0:11:04Can't believe we are behind the scenes at NASA!
0:11:04 > 0:11:07We're going meet some of NASA's top experts to find out
0:11:07 > 0:11:09about space station technology.
0:11:09 > 0:11:11Not only that, we're going to see
0:11:11 > 0:11:15if we've got what it takes to become real astronauts!
0:11:15 > 0:11:16If we're going to live in space,
0:11:16 > 0:11:19we need to understand where we'd sleep and what we'd eat.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22Sadly we can't visit the International Space Station
0:11:22 > 0:11:24because...it's in space.
0:11:24 > 0:11:26We asked, but they said, "No, thank you."
0:11:26 > 0:11:29But we can visit a space station on Earth.
0:11:31 > 0:11:33This is where astronauts train.
0:11:33 > 0:11:36It's a life-size mock-up of the modules that make up
0:11:36 > 0:11:38the International Space Station.
0:11:39 > 0:11:41Waiting on board to explain
0:11:41 > 0:11:43the tech behind space food
0:11:43 > 0:11:45is NASA food scientist Vickie.
0:11:46 > 0:11:47Ooh. Straight in.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50- Wow. Hi, Vickie.- Hey!- How are you?
0:11:50 > 0:11:52- I'm fine.- Nice to meet you. - Great to see you.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55So, this is an actual mock-up of the International Space Station?
0:11:55 > 0:11:57This is a mock-up of one of the modules
0:11:57 > 0:11:59of the International Space Station
0:11:59 > 0:12:05and the real McCoy is about 200 miles above us orbiting the Earth.
0:12:05 > 0:12:07And how on earth do they get all these bits up there?
0:12:07 > 0:12:10It was assembled over an eight to ten year period
0:12:10 > 0:12:13in pieces that were put together in orbit.
0:12:13 > 0:12:15- So, it's pretty big.- Wow.
0:12:15 > 0:12:17What kind of things do they eat up there?
0:12:17 > 0:12:19Can they just take up fish fingers, chips and peas?
0:12:19 > 0:12:23Well, not exactly. We don't have dedicated refrigerators or freezers
0:12:23 > 0:12:25for food on the Space Station,
0:12:25 > 0:12:29so all the food has to last a long time at room temperature.
0:12:29 > 0:12:31These are freeze-dried products.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34What is that? It doesn't look very appetising, Vickie.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37It'll look a lot better when you add the water to it.
0:12:37 > 0:12:40They have a rehydration station that has a needle on it
0:12:40 > 0:12:44and they can dial up the amount of water the label tells them to add
0:12:44 > 0:12:46and then it automatically injects
0:12:46 > 0:12:49the temperature and quantity of water they've selected.
0:12:49 > 0:12:51- Have you got anything we can taste? - Yes.
0:12:51 > 0:12:53- I hope it's nice. What is it? - Seafood.- Seafood?
0:12:53 > 0:12:59So, on orbit they have a food warmer that they would warm this up in.
0:12:59 > 0:13:01So, this is quite warm, then?
0:13:01 > 0:13:03Well, I warmed it before I came over here. I'm not sure...
0:13:03 > 0:13:06- how long it's stayed. - Cold seafood for breakfast!
0:13:07 > 0:13:09HE LAUGHS HESITANTLY
0:13:09 > 0:13:14We have some 60-odd products that we make custom for the Space Station.
0:13:14 > 0:13:17- Right. Tasting time.- Go on, you need a good mouthful.- Mmm.
0:13:17 > 0:13:20I'm not going to say anything bad cos you produced this, didn't you?
0:13:20 > 0:13:22It's all in the face.
0:13:22 > 0:13:24- Fish paste.- OK.
0:13:24 > 0:13:26GARGLES: Ah-ah-ah.
0:13:29 > 0:13:31Mm? Mm?
0:13:33 > 0:13:34Mm.
0:13:36 > 0:13:38Sorry, Vickie. I know you made this.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43I know what it is - it's cos it's not warm enough, that's all it is.
0:13:43 > 0:13:45- Yeah, it could be. - I'm sure it's delicious warm.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50NASA and other space agencies have been working hard
0:13:50 > 0:13:52on growing crops in micro gravity
0:13:52 > 0:13:57and in 2015, they managed to grow the first edible crop of lettuce!
0:13:57 > 0:14:00This was a massive technological achievement
0:14:00 > 0:14:03because in micro gravity plants don't know which way to grow
0:14:03 > 0:14:04as there is no up or down.
0:14:06 > 0:14:10So, now we've found out where we'll live and what we'll be eating.
0:14:10 > 0:14:14Next is something every true astronaut needs - a spacesuit.
0:14:15 > 0:14:16And to tell us all about
0:14:16 > 0:14:18the amazing tech involved in them
0:14:18 > 0:14:21is NASA engineer Mallory.
0:14:21 > 0:14:25- Hi, Mallory.- Hi. So nice to meet you.- Nice to meet you as well.
0:14:25 > 0:14:27This is exciting. Where do you begin with a spacesuit?
0:14:27 > 0:14:29Let's start with the helmet.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32It's always good to start top to bottom. It's pretty heavy.
0:14:33 > 0:14:35I've got a big nut.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38That's OK. Not the biggest head I've seen, trust me.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41I've always wondered why there's this golden tint.
0:14:41 > 0:14:45- For protection for their eyes. - Just like sunglasses, really?
0:14:45 > 0:14:47Mm-hm. But these are the real sunglasses.
0:14:47 > 0:14:49- Ah, that's the one I was thinking of.- Yes.- Ahh.
0:14:49 > 0:14:53So, this is 24-carat gold sprayed on the inside.
0:14:53 > 0:14:55It's thinner than a human hair.
0:14:55 > 0:14:59That way, the crew member can see outside, but we can't see in.
0:14:59 > 0:15:01It protects their eyes from the sun.
0:15:01 > 0:15:04There are 14 layers of protection in a spacesuit
0:15:04 > 0:15:07and it takes astronauts 45 minutes to get into them,
0:15:07 > 0:15:11which is the same amount of time it takes Dick to put on his socks.
0:15:11 > 0:15:15Mallory, when I sat on my mate's space helmet when I kid,
0:15:15 > 0:15:17they said it cost them £12.99.
0:15:17 > 0:15:18How much is this one?
0:15:18 > 0:15:23Well, our whole suit is estimated at around 15 million.
0:15:23 > 0:15:26- Are you joking?- Nope.
0:15:26 > 0:15:28And if you count all the engineering time,
0:15:28 > 0:15:30- it gets way more expensive than that.- 15 million?!
0:15:30 > 0:15:33Yeah, I'll take that. It's probably for the best.
0:15:33 > 0:15:36So, it turns out that spacesuits are very expensive.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39- Which means we shouldn't touch them. - I'll take that.
0:15:39 > 0:15:41But now it's time to get real.
0:15:41 > 0:15:43We've been given the rare opportunity to have
0:15:43 > 0:15:47some actual astronaut training at NASA's Virtual Reality Labs.
0:15:48 > 0:15:49Setting us our space mission
0:15:49 > 0:15:51is Eddie, who trains astronauts
0:15:51 > 0:15:54before they go to the Space Station.
0:15:54 > 0:15:57- Hi, Eddie.- Hello, Dick. - How you doing?- Hey, Dom.
0:15:57 > 0:15:59- Good to see you. - This is the Virtual Reality Lab.
0:15:59 > 0:16:00What exactly happens here?
0:16:00 > 0:16:03This is the laboratory where astronauts are trained
0:16:03 > 0:16:06- for space walks.- This is the closest an astronaut will get
0:16:06 > 0:16:07to seeing what it's like in space?
0:16:07 > 0:16:10They are immersed in a virtual reality with graphics
0:16:10 > 0:16:13and this labs gives them the feel of being in space.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16Do you think we're healthy enough and fit enough to be able to do it?
0:16:16 > 0:16:18Yeah, we can put you in a scenario,
0:16:18 > 0:16:21where you actually get untethered and released from the Space Station
0:16:21 > 0:16:26and see if you can fly back without getting lost in space.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29Monitoring us as we embark on our spacewalk
0:16:29 > 0:16:31is a team of top NASA experts.
0:16:31 > 0:16:34Let's see if they can spot our potential.
0:16:34 > 0:16:37This is the situation - Rich has become detached
0:16:37 > 0:16:40and is floating off, so I've got to try and get him back.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43All I have to get myself home is this small box,
0:16:43 > 0:16:46which controls a jet pack on my back.
0:16:46 > 0:16:48What could possibly go wrong?
0:16:48 > 0:16:52So, I'm going to have a little spin.
0:16:52 > 0:16:53Oh, my life!
0:16:55 > 0:16:56You've gone. Where are you?
0:16:56 > 0:16:58- Ah!- Aahh!- Ah!
0:16:58 > 0:17:01- I'm just going round in circles. - I can see you spinning.
0:17:01 > 0:17:03How do I try and stop spinning?
0:17:06 > 0:17:09Oh, wow, look at that. The whole Earth in front of me.
0:17:09 > 0:17:13'Remember, Dick's mission is to try and get back to the Space Station.'
0:17:13 > 0:17:16You've literally floated off into space.
0:17:16 > 0:17:18No, you're going towards Earth. Come back!
0:17:18 > 0:17:21This training mission is the exact same simulation
0:17:21 > 0:17:23they put real astronauts through.
0:17:23 > 0:17:25Well , let's hope they're better than us.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29You're going to crash into the wing of the Space Station!
0:17:29 > 0:17:31- What? No!- Come back!- I'm trying!
0:17:31 > 0:17:34- Go forward.- Stop. - No, you're going to crash!- No!
0:17:36 > 0:17:38- Stop it!- Argh!
0:17:38 > 0:17:40This guy can't fly.
0:17:40 > 0:17:42And it goes from bad to worse.
0:17:42 > 0:17:43- What's that?- That's my hair. - Oh, sorry.
0:17:43 > 0:17:45LAUGHTER
0:17:45 > 0:17:48He's the worst astronaut we've ever seen.
0:17:48 > 0:17:51DICK LAUGHS I wish this was real...
0:17:51 > 0:17:53- Oh, my life! - THEY LAUGH
0:17:53 > 0:17:56..and I never saw him again! THEY LAUGH HYSTERICALLY
0:17:56 > 0:18:00With me falling dangerously back to Earth and low on fuel,
0:18:00 > 0:18:02the team have to make a drastic decision.
0:18:02 > 0:18:05OK, Dick, I'm sorry to call it, but mission failed!
0:18:05 > 0:18:08- Aw!- Oh, no!- Lost in space.
0:18:09 > 0:18:12- Nice one, cheers - you've blown it for us.- Oops.
0:18:12 > 0:18:16But at least we got to experience what astronauts' lives are like
0:18:16 > 0:18:18on board the International Space Station.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21And we've seen the skills that are needed in space.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24Come back! HE LAUGHS
0:18:24 > 0:18:27And it's all thanks to our genius, Konstantin Tsiolkovsky,
0:18:27 > 0:18:30who had the vision that technology would one day
0:18:30 > 0:18:32allow us to live in space.
0:18:32 > 0:18:33It was nothing.
0:18:36 > 0:18:40Later in the show, Dom and I will be testing space tech to the max
0:18:40 > 0:18:42as we have to negotiate three hazardous terrains
0:18:42 > 0:18:44in our Tech Challenge.
0:18:44 > 0:18:47It's going to tip backwards! HE SCREAMS
0:18:48 > 0:18:49So, we've explored space
0:18:49 > 0:18:52and we've explored what's it's like to be in space.
0:18:52 > 0:18:55But what about boldly going where no man has gone before?
0:18:55 > 0:18:57You know, living on other planets and stuff.
0:18:57 > 0:19:00Which is why we've come here to NASA. But this time, it's NASA, LA!
0:19:00 > 0:19:02And it's the home to our next genius.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05The genius of...Rob Manning.
0:19:05 > 0:19:10This is going to be one small step for me, one giant leap for you guys!
0:19:11 > 0:19:15Rob Manning has been achieving the near impossible for over 25 years.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18He's not only been sending things to Mars, but landing them there too!
0:19:18 > 0:19:22His latest success was landing a robot called Curiosity Rover.
0:19:22 > 0:19:24This vehicle is the size of a car
0:19:24 > 0:19:27and is used to conduct experiments on Mars.
0:19:27 > 0:19:31Our genius has invited us to one of NASA's most important places.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34The ultra hi-tech Jet Propulsion Labs.
0:19:34 > 0:19:37- Rob, great to meet you. - Great to meet you, Dick.
0:19:37 > 0:19:38- Pleasure to meet you.- You too, Dom.
0:19:38 > 0:19:40First things first, what is this room?
0:19:40 > 0:19:43Because it looks some kind of space control centre.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46Well, it is. This is the heart of the Deep Space Network,
0:19:46 > 0:19:49which is NASA's communication system
0:19:49 > 0:19:51to allow us to communicate with spacecraft
0:19:51 > 0:19:53all over our solar system.
0:19:53 > 0:19:58Now, Rob, you've landed rovers on Mars, which is mind-blowing,
0:19:58 > 0:20:02but how far away is Mars and how on earth do you get a rover up there?
0:20:02 > 0:20:06Mars goes around the sun about once every two Earth years.
0:20:06 > 0:20:10So, the distance varies from being quite close to being quite far.
0:20:10 > 0:20:14The shortest distance we can take is between seven and nine months.
0:20:15 > 0:20:19How fast is the rocket travelling to get your rover to Mars?
0:20:19 > 0:20:23It's flying around the sun at 30,000 to 35,000 miles an hour.
0:20:23 > 0:20:25- HE GASPS - Really fast.
0:20:25 > 0:20:29When it gets to Mars, it slows down as it gets further from the sun
0:20:29 > 0:20:31and then it hits Mars as Mars goes by.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34In fact, Mars comes in and hits our vehicle from behind,
0:20:34 > 0:20:38- because our vehicle is moving slower than Mars is.- Is it?!- Yes.
0:20:38 > 0:20:40So, we're aiming for a spot in space
0:20:40 > 0:20:42where Mars is going to be in the future.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45So, our vehicle has to go, "Whoa, here comes Mars!"
0:20:45 > 0:20:48And aim its heat shield toward the atmosphere of Mars.
0:20:49 > 0:20:51I automatically assumed that
0:20:51 > 0:20:54- Mars just sits there.- There's Mars, sat there being red and beautiful.
0:20:54 > 0:20:56- You know, the planets. - And it goes...
0:20:56 > 0:20:57SMOOTH WHIZZING SOUND
0:20:57 > 0:21:00But no. Mars is going... CRASHING SOUND
0:21:00 > 0:21:02- Yeah. - THEY LAUGH
0:21:02 > 0:21:04- That's incredible!- That's right.
0:21:05 > 0:21:10So, we inflate a large supersonically deployed parachute
0:21:10 > 0:21:13that allows us to slow down our vehicle down.
0:21:13 > 0:21:15So, in the case of Curiosity,
0:21:15 > 0:21:17about a kilometre above the surface of Mars...
0:21:19 > 0:21:22..the Curiosity lights up a jet pack that's sitting on its back
0:21:22 > 0:21:25as it gets closer to the surface of Mars.
0:21:28 > 0:21:31Some day, we will be able to use these technologies to land
0:21:31 > 0:21:33people on the surface of Mars.
0:21:33 > 0:21:35- Thank you very much.- Thank you, Dom.
0:21:35 > 0:21:37- You're an absolute genius. - Thank you very much.
0:21:39 > 0:21:42We've learnt that space is a dangerous place for us humans.
0:21:42 > 0:21:46- Your insides start coming out of any hole it can find!- Oh, no!
0:21:46 > 0:21:49But technology has allowed us to overcome these problems.
0:21:49 > 0:21:53We've invented spacesuits and built massive space stations
0:21:53 > 0:21:54for us to live on.
0:21:54 > 0:21:56- How much is this one? - About 15 million.
0:21:56 > 0:21:57Are you joking?
0:21:57 > 0:22:00And technology hasn't stopped there.
0:22:00 > 0:22:01And lift-off.
0:22:01 > 0:22:05We can now blast off to new planets and land robots on Mars.
0:22:06 > 0:22:08Genius!
0:22:10 > 0:22:14Thanks to today's geniuses, we've not only been able to reach space,
0:22:14 > 0:22:16but also explore other planets.
0:22:16 > 0:22:18We're ready for our Genius Tech Challenge.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21We are going to drive on Mars.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25Well, not quite. Anyway, here's the plan!
0:22:25 > 0:22:29Our challenge is to drive NASA's Space Exploration Vehicle
0:22:29 > 0:22:32across three extra-terrestrial terrains.
0:22:32 > 0:22:34First is the dreaded lunar craters.
0:22:34 > 0:22:36Then it's across the astral rock field.
0:22:36 > 0:22:40And finally, it's a sharp climb up the Martian Mountain!
0:22:40 > 0:22:41The problem is that we're
0:22:41 > 0:22:43going to have to keep our vehicle
0:22:43 > 0:22:45extra steady, because we're going to be playing
0:22:45 > 0:22:48our very own golden record.
0:22:48 > 0:22:50Records are VERY sensitive,
0:22:50 > 0:22:53so any bump could result in the needle jumping.
0:22:53 > 0:22:55- Any more than three jumps... - RECORD SCRATCHING
0:22:55 > 0:22:56..and we fail the challenge.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59This Tech Challenge is truly out of this world.
0:23:02 > 0:23:04The vehicle charged with getting through these tricky terrains
0:23:04 > 0:23:08is this - the NASA Space Exploration Vehicle,
0:23:08 > 0:23:11which has been designed to drive astronauts on Mars!
0:23:13 > 0:23:15Helping us navigate these tricky terrains
0:23:15 > 0:23:17is NASA vehicle expert Bill.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22That's vehicle sorted. Now it's time to get the record player ready
0:23:22 > 0:23:24and put on our golden record.
0:23:24 > 0:23:27Ladies and gentlemen, the one and only Phil Collins!
0:23:27 > 0:23:29- If you don't know him... - Ask your grandparents.
0:23:29 > 0:23:31It's a good album, this.
0:23:32 > 0:23:33Let's do this.
0:23:33 > 0:23:36All right, everyone, it's time for Challenge Number One -
0:23:36 > 0:23:38the Craters.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43Wow. We're on Mars!
0:23:43 > 0:23:45- No, we're not. It's Houston.- Oh.
0:23:45 > 0:23:48- Right, are we ready?- Yep.
0:23:48 > 0:23:50Three, two, one.
0:23:50 > 0:23:53Come on Phil! Let's do this.
0:23:53 > 0:23:57MUSIC: In The Air Tonight by Phil Collins
0:24:00 > 0:24:02All the terrains have been designed
0:24:02 > 0:24:05to replicate the harsh surfaces of Mars.
0:24:05 > 0:24:07There's a crater in front of us.
0:24:07 > 0:24:08It doesn't feel right!
0:24:08 > 0:24:11And I'm sure they didn't think about playing vinyl records
0:24:11 > 0:24:14- when they designed them. - Brace yourself!
0:24:16 > 0:24:18THEY SQUEAL
0:24:18 > 0:24:22Don't forget - if the record jumps, we lose a life.
0:24:25 > 0:24:29He's not jumped yet! Considering what we're up against, it's just...
0:24:29 > 0:24:35# I can feel it coming in the air tonight
0:24:35 > 0:24:38- # Oh, Lor... # Aaaarggh!- Aaaarggh!
0:24:38 > 0:24:40- ON RECORD:- # Oh, Lord... #
0:24:40 > 0:24:43Luckily, our vehicle has been designed for these terrains,
0:24:43 > 0:24:47boasting 12 wheels which can turn 360 degrees.
0:24:47 > 0:24:50We're nearly at the finish line and it hasn't jumped yet!
0:24:51 > 0:24:52OK, stop!
0:24:54 > 0:24:57Challenge One complete - and no scratches.
0:24:57 > 0:25:00All our three lives are still intact!
0:25:00 > 0:25:03Challenge Number Two. It's my turn to drive.
0:25:03 > 0:25:05- Here, you take Phil. - All right, Phil.
0:25:05 > 0:25:07This is the Rocks.
0:25:07 > 0:25:10# I know where you've been... #
0:25:10 > 0:25:13The rock field simulates the surface of an asteroid
0:25:13 > 0:25:16and has boulders up to half a meter high.
0:25:16 > 0:25:20But luckily for us, this vehicle is the size of a pick-up truck
0:25:20 > 0:25:23- and can drive sideways if needed. - Bring it on!
0:25:23 > 0:25:25Look at the size of some of these boulders!
0:25:25 > 0:25:28- # In the air tonight... # - RECORD DISTORTS
0:25:28 > 0:25:31- He's not sounding well. - # Oh, Lord... #
0:25:32 > 0:25:35- This is bumpy. This is well bumpy. - Ooh. Close.
0:25:35 > 0:25:38RECORD WOBBLES
0:25:39 > 0:25:41- DISTORTED:- # Oh, Lord... #
0:25:41 > 0:25:44I can't believe that... Look at the size of it!
0:25:44 > 0:25:46Whoa!
0:25:46 > 0:25:48- RECORD SCRATCHES Oh!- Oh, Phil!
0:25:48 > 0:25:49- Is he all right?- Scratchy time.
0:25:50 > 0:25:52Whoo-hoo-hoo!
0:25:53 > 0:25:55That's one scratch.
0:25:55 > 0:25:58- HE LAUGHS - The ride of our lives.
0:25:58 > 0:25:59Stuck.
0:26:01 > 0:26:03We've done it! But...
0:26:03 > 0:26:05- So, it scratched?- A little bit.
0:26:05 > 0:26:08- Once.- It jumped? - Over the big rock. Yeah.
0:26:09 > 0:26:13With two challenges completed, the record has only scratched once,
0:26:13 > 0:26:16but we still have the hardest challenge left.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19It's time for Challenge Number Three -
0:26:19 > 0:26:22the Martian Mountain.
0:26:23 > 0:26:25- Ready?- Ready.
0:26:26 > 0:26:28RECORD STARTS UP
0:26:28 > 0:26:32DRUM SOLO
0:26:32 > 0:26:36This Martian mountain towers over six meters high
0:26:36 > 0:26:38and it's a steep gradient to reach the summit.
0:26:38 > 0:26:40Woohoo!
0:26:41 > 0:26:44# I'll be waiting for... #
0:26:44 > 0:26:46- Aargh!- Oi!
0:26:46 > 0:26:49It's going to tip backwards!
0:26:49 > 0:26:51# Oh, Lord... #
0:26:51 > 0:26:52Ho-ho-ho!
0:26:52 > 0:26:55# I can feel it in the air... #
0:26:55 > 0:26:57- HE SCREAMS - # Oh, Lord... #
0:26:57 > 0:26:59- Whoa!- Aaargh!- # Oh, Lord. #
0:27:03 > 0:27:04Stop, stop, stop!
0:27:06 > 0:27:09- Yes!- We did it!- We did it!
0:27:09 > 0:27:11How about that? Three challenges...
0:27:11 > 0:27:15Only one record jump. Unbelievable
0:27:15 > 0:27:17And none of this would have been possible
0:27:17 > 0:27:19without the NASA Space Exploration Vehicle
0:27:19 > 0:27:23and today's geniuses who've pushed our understanding of space.
0:27:23 > 0:27:25Because of their brilliance,
0:27:25 > 0:27:28the dream of living in space is closer than ever before.
0:27:28 > 0:27:30Tell you what, shall we have the drum bit again?
0:27:30 > 0:27:32- Go on, then.- Right, hold on.
0:27:32 > 0:27:35Three, two, one - go! DRUM SOLO PLAYS
0:27:35 > 0:27:38# I can feel it coming in the air tonight... #
0:27:38 > 0:27:40- BOTH:- Whoa-oh!
0:27:43 > 0:27:46HE LAUGHS
0:27:49 > 0:27:51Ah!
0:27:52 > 0:27:54THEY LAUGH
0:27:54 > 0:27:55Where's Rich gone?
0:27:55 > 0:27:56Uh.
0:27:56 > 0:27:59- It stopped!- Aargh!
0:27:59 > 0:28:00A long line is a BEEP!
0:28:00 > 0:28:02- Put my finger... - HE SCREAMS
0:28:02 > 0:28:04- Wow!- His head's fallen off!
0:28:04 > 0:28:06How did you find that? "Blew my head off."
0:28:06 > 0:28:09- THEY GIGGLE - You can't end it like that!