0:00:02 > 0:00:05Do you like science and experiments? Do you like flying, floating around?
0:00:05 > 0:00:06And are you interested in travel?
0:00:06 > 0:00:09Then maybe you should consider a career in space.
0:00:11 > 0:00:15This episode is out of this world.
0:00:15 > 0:00:18Our two astro-rookies will visit cutting-edge space centres
0:00:18 > 0:00:20for an astronomical experience.
0:00:21 > 0:00:23But can their minds and bodies take it?
0:00:23 > 0:00:26Or will they get lost in space?!
0:00:26 > 0:00:30Let's find out as we go All Over The Workplace!
0:00:37 > 0:00:39BELLS TOLL SIRENS WAIL
0:00:39 > 0:00:41CROWD CHEERS
0:00:44 > 0:00:45LASERS PEW-PEWING
0:00:50 > 0:00:52There are millions
0:00:52 > 0:00:53and billions
0:00:53 > 0:00:56and trillions of stars.
0:00:56 > 0:00:59Yes, and there are millions and billions and trillions
0:00:59 > 0:01:01of jobs in the space industry.
0:01:01 > 0:01:04You could be an astrophysicist, a cosmologist, an engineer,
0:01:04 > 0:01:07an astronaut. You could even be a rocket scientist.
0:01:07 > 0:01:10We're about to meet two rookies who are dead keen to
0:01:10 > 0:01:13launch their careers into space.
0:01:13 > 0:01:15My name's Honey, I'm 11.
0:01:15 > 0:01:16I'm from Glasgow,
0:01:16 > 0:01:18and I want to be an astrophysicist.
0:01:18 > 0:01:20There's my favourite word,
0:01:20 > 0:01:22which is spaghettification.
0:01:22 > 0:01:24It's the process of being, like...
0:01:26 > 0:01:29..squished and drawn really thin,
0:01:29 > 0:01:31and that's what black holes do to you.
0:01:31 > 0:01:33If I discovered a planet,
0:01:33 > 0:01:35I would probably call it Poppadom...
0:01:36 > 0:01:38..cos that's my favourite food.
0:01:39 > 0:01:42Hi, I'm Leon, and I want to be an astronaut.
0:01:42 > 0:01:44Well, I want to become an astronaut
0:01:44 > 0:01:46because I'm passionate about space,
0:01:46 > 0:01:49and also because there are dangers in space,
0:01:49 > 0:01:51and I like to face a little challenge.
0:01:51 > 0:01:54I want to be, like, in no, no gravity.
0:01:54 > 0:01:55I want to know how to feel,
0:01:55 > 0:01:57just aimlessly floating.
0:01:57 > 0:02:01Leon and Honey have both travelled from their own spot on the planet
0:02:01 > 0:02:03to team up with Alex in Oxfordshire,
0:02:03 > 0:02:05where they will begin their first mission.
0:02:05 > 0:02:08So, Leon and Honey, why do you want to work
0:02:08 > 0:02:09in the world of space exploration?
0:02:09 > 0:02:13Well, I want to be an astronaut because I love a challenge,
0:02:13 > 0:02:17and I really like high-adrenaline sports.
0:02:17 > 0:02:20OK, well, I think that would be ideal for being an astronaut.
0:02:20 > 0:02:22What about you, Honey?
0:02:22 > 0:02:24Well, I'd really love to be an astrophysicist
0:02:24 > 0:02:26cos space is so mysterious.
0:02:26 > 0:02:29And there's so many mysteries to solve.
0:02:29 > 0:02:31I really enjoy maths and science,
0:02:31 > 0:02:34and I think I'm quite good at problem-solving.
0:02:34 > 0:02:37That's very important to have those things.
0:02:37 > 0:02:38Well, that's what you have to say,
0:02:38 > 0:02:40but here's what your parents think.
0:02:40 > 0:02:43She's very independent, very determined.
0:02:43 > 0:02:45Honey generally doesn't come and ask for help.
0:02:45 > 0:02:47A few disputes with maths,
0:02:47 > 0:02:49when Honey thinks she's got it right and...
0:02:49 > 0:02:51she thinks you've got it wrong.
0:02:51 > 0:02:54Anything to do with space and science, that's his passion, really.
0:02:54 > 0:02:57He wants to get where he's going so quickly sometimes,
0:02:57 > 0:03:00- without actually focusing on the detail, I think, sometimes.- Yeah.
0:03:00 > 0:03:04- So, what do you make of that, then? You are always right...- Yeah.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07- And you get completely carried away.- Yeah.
0:03:07 > 0:03:09But you've got to stay calm in space,
0:03:09 > 0:03:12and astrophysics you need to make sure everything's spot-on
0:03:12 > 0:03:15and take criticisms from other people.
0:03:15 > 0:03:17No-one's perfect, you know.
0:03:17 > 0:03:19LAUGHTER Absolutely!
0:03:19 > 0:03:21Plenty to work on, you two, so come with me!
0:03:26 > 0:03:29Our solar system is made up of eight planets that orbit our sun.
0:03:29 > 0:03:31Mercury is closest to the sun.
0:03:31 > 0:03:32Venus is next, then it's Earth.
0:03:32 > 0:03:33Hello, Mum!
0:03:33 > 0:03:36Our neighbour is the red planet, Mars.
0:03:36 > 0:03:38The next four planets are all made of gas.
0:03:38 > 0:03:40You can't land there, as there's nothing to land on.
0:03:40 > 0:03:41There's Jupiter.
0:03:41 > 0:03:43Here's Saturn, famous for its rings.
0:03:43 > 0:03:45Then, there's Uranus.
0:03:45 > 0:03:46Finally, Neptune,
0:03:46 > 0:03:49which takes 165 Earth years to go around the sun.
0:03:50 > 0:03:53- So, have you any idea what you're going to be doing?- No.- No idea.
0:03:53 > 0:03:57We're here at STFC RAL Space,
0:03:57 > 0:03:59where they make measuring instruments which they send up
0:03:59 > 0:04:00into space on satellites,
0:04:00 > 0:04:04and here astrophysicists study the information that comes back from
0:04:04 > 0:04:09- the satellites to learn the secrets of the planets and the stars.- Wow!
0:04:09 > 0:04:11- Yeah.- Whoa.- Pretty cool, eh? BOTH: Yeah.
0:04:11 > 0:04:12So come with me, then.
0:04:12 > 0:04:16RAL Space is at the cutting edge of space science.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19They work with the European Space Agency and Nasa.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22They've made cameras for the International Space Station,
0:04:22 > 0:04:24and have also worked on one of the instruments
0:04:24 > 0:04:26for a new space telescope
0:04:26 > 0:04:29that will be launched in 2018.
0:04:29 > 0:04:31Here's our first mentor,
0:04:31 > 0:04:32Dr Sarah Beardsley.
0:04:32 > 0:04:35She's head of space engineering and technology here,
0:04:35 > 0:04:39which means that she oversees a team of electronic engineers,
0:04:39 > 0:04:42who make hi-tech gadgets which get sent into space.
0:04:43 > 0:04:47Sarah, what are your three top tips for working in the space industry?
0:04:47 > 0:04:49First thing to do is to love what you do.
0:04:49 > 0:04:52There are lots of different jobs. Make sure you love what you do.
0:04:52 > 0:04:56Second is make sure you're very patient,
0:04:56 > 0:04:59because the instruments we send into space can take ten years or more
0:04:59 > 0:05:03to design and build and test, so have lots of patience.
0:05:03 > 0:05:05And finally, have lots of perseverance.
0:05:05 > 0:05:06Keep on trying.
0:05:06 > 0:05:08No matter what anybody tells you,
0:05:08 > 0:05:09make sure you believe that you can do it,
0:05:09 > 0:05:11and always follow your dreams.
0:05:11 > 0:05:15Sarah's top tips are - love what you do.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18Interested workers are happy workers.
0:05:18 > 0:05:19Patience.
0:05:19 > 0:05:22Building gadgets that go into space takes time,
0:05:22 > 0:05:25so you will need to be in it for the long haul.
0:05:25 > 0:05:26And perseverance.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29It's a tough job, but belief, determination
0:05:29 > 0:05:31and hard work can take you a long way.
0:05:31 > 0:05:33So, what have you got lined up for us today?
0:05:33 > 0:05:35Right, well, we thought you might want to
0:05:35 > 0:05:38go into one of our clean rooms and work on some space test equipment.
0:05:38 > 0:05:40- BOTH: Yeah.- Fantastic.
0:05:42 > 0:05:46OK, welcome, guys, to our changing area for our clean rooms.
0:05:46 > 0:05:48And this is where we get changed so that we are able to go
0:05:48 > 0:05:51into the clean room without damaging any of our equipment.
0:05:51 > 0:05:54- You ever been to a swimming pool and used...- Yeah, yeah.
0:05:54 > 0:05:56You do that and then you put your foot over the bench here.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59You put the other one on, and then you come over,
0:05:59 > 0:06:01and then you can stand up on the cleaner area.
0:06:01 > 0:06:02We have to put a face mask on,
0:06:02 > 0:06:06because when we breathe out, we can breathe out lots of particles
0:06:06 > 0:06:09- and germs.- Why do we need to do this?- Well, that's a good question.
0:06:09 > 0:06:13We have to do this because our bodies are really dirty.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16Even if you've had a shower just ten minutes before,
0:06:16 > 0:06:19your skin starts to flake, and that's quite dirty,
0:06:19 > 0:06:21and you don't want all of that kind of particles
0:06:21 > 0:06:24going into your very sensitive space instrumentation.
0:06:24 > 0:06:25I think we look like space ducks.
0:06:25 > 0:06:27Quack-quack. LAUGHTER
0:06:31 > 0:06:35- OK, and welcome to our space test chamber.- Ooh.- Whoa.
0:06:35 > 0:06:36Wow, this is cool.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39This is where we test a lot of our instruments,
0:06:39 > 0:06:41and small satellites that go into space.
0:06:41 > 0:06:45So, typically, an instrument will go from about -50 degrees centigrade
0:06:45 > 0:06:50right up to 50, 60, 70 degrees centigrade hot, as well.
0:06:50 > 0:06:52The way we keep the temperature quite controlled
0:06:52 > 0:06:55is by using something called multilayer insulation.
0:06:55 > 0:06:57You can touch it with your gloved hands.
0:06:57 > 0:06:58What does it feel like?
0:06:58 > 0:07:00- BOTH: Tinfoil. - It feels like tinfoil.
0:07:00 > 0:07:03What's inside here are lots of different layers,
0:07:03 > 0:07:05and it acts like a blanket.
0:07:05 > 0:07:07It's just like when you're in bed,
0:07:07 > 0:07:08you cover yourself over with the blanket,
0:07:08 > 0:07:10it keeps your temperature constant,
0:07:10 > 0:07:12protects you from the heat, and from the cold.
0:07:12 > 0:07:14So, now you've got to work out
0:07:14 > 0:07:17- what is the best way of putting this multilayer insulation.- Er...
0:07:17 > 0:07:20Shall we start with Leon's piece, because it's smaller?
0:07:20 > 0:07:21And it might be easier to handle.
0:07:21 > 0:07:25- So, where do you think that might go best?- There?- Yep.
0:07:25 > 0:07:26Tuck that in behind there.
0:07:26 > 0:07:28As a normal astrophysicist,
0:07:28 > 0:07:30you wouldn't be in conditions like this most of the time -
0:07:30 > 0:07:32you'll be analysing information
0:07:32 > 0:07:36and pictures that come down from telescopes and instruments in space.
0:07:36 > 0:07:38And so you'd be sat at a computer screen,
0:07:38 > 0:07:41working, and working out puzzles and problems.
0:07:41 > 0:07:45The people who do this kind of work are some of our skilled technicians,
0:07:45 > 0:07:49who may come into business as apprentices or graduate entries,
0:07:49 > 0:07:53and become highly skilled in doing this kind of very precise work.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56- You don't necessarily need a degree to get in?- Absolutely.
0:07:56 > 0:07:58A lot of the people who do this kind of work
0:07:58 > 0:08:01come through the apprenticeship schemes that we have here,
0:08:01 > 0:08:04and it's possible to get space engineering apprenticeships
0:08:04 > 0:08:06these days, which is a fantastic opportunity
0:08:06 > 0:08:09to get right into the space business, right from day one,
0:08:09 > 0:08:10as soon as you leave school.
0:08:10 > 0:08:12OK, this is looking pretty good, guys,
0:08:12 > 0:08:15I think you've done a good job there. Are you happy with that?
0:08:15 > 0:08:16- BOTH: Yeah.- OK.
0:08:16 > 0:08:18Shall we get out of these clothes, and go back outside?
0:08:18 > 0:08:21- BOTH: Yeah.- Fantastic, let's go. - Excellent idea.
0:08:23 > 0:08:25This is Professor Richard Harrison.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28He's the chief scientist at RAL Space,
0:08:28 > 0:08:29and he's spent most of his career
0:08:29 > 0:08:31studying solar physics.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33That's the branch of astrophysics
0:08:33 > 0:08:35which specialises in the sun.
0:08:35 > 0:08:37He has a wealth of knowledge
0:08:37 > 0:08:38to share with our rookies.
0:08:38 > 0:08:40What are his top tips?
0:08:40 > 0:08:42First thing I'd say is believe.
0:08:42 > 0:08:46When I was your age, to say that you wanted to work in space
0:08:46 > 0:08:48was something that was very, very unusual.
0:08:48 > 0:08:49There are careers there now.
0:08:49 > 0:08:52There's a lot more happening, you really can do it.
0:08:52 > 0:08:55The second thing I would say is, to be an astrophysicist,
0:08:55 > 0:08:57you need to get the qualifications,
0:08:57 > 0:08:59you need to go and do your A-levels, do a physics degree,
0:08:59 > 0:09:01or something like that.
0:09:01 > 0:09:03And the third thing, that I always did,
0:09:03 > 0:09:05I always kept an astronomy diary.
0:09:05 > 0:09:07So you go out in the back garden
0:09:07 > 0:09:09and you see the satellites going over, or a comet,
0:09:09 > 0:09:12or a planet or whatever, just keep a little note of all these things,
0:09:12 > 0:09:14and it just keeps the interest going,
0:09:14 > 0:09:17and you can remember all the wonderful things you've seen.
0:09:17 > 0:09:18Richard's top tips are...
0:09:18 > 0:09:20Believe you can do it.
0:09:20 > 0:09:22There are many more jobs in space science
0:09:22 > 0:09:23than there used to be.
0:09:23 > 0:09:24Get qualified.
0:09:24 > 0:09:26Hard work at school,
0:09:26 > 0:09:28especially in science subjects.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31And keep an astronomy diary.
0:09:31 > 0:09:32An interest in the night sky
0:09:32 > 0:09:35is a great way to learn about space.
0:09:35 > 0:09:39We have some images that we've taken in space, of the sun,
0:09:39 > 0:09:41and the way the sun impacts the Earth,
0:09:41 > 0:09:43and you two, I hope you'll help me try to find things
0:09:43 > 0:09:44in those images.
0:09:44 > 0:09:46- Sounds great.- Fun.
0:09:46 > 0:09:48- What do you think this is? - The Earth.
0:09:48 > 0:09:52It's the Earth. So the Earth is what?
0:09:52 > 0:09:53- It's a planet.- It's a planet.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56- Now, I think you know what this is. Don't you?- Yeah.- BOTH:- The sun.
0:09:56 > 0:09:58It's the sun. Right.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01This is the sun as you would see it with your eyes,
0:10:01 > 0:10:04but you should never stare at the sun with your eyes,
0:10:04 > 0:10:07because it's so bright you could damage your eyes.
0:10:07 > 0:10:10- But what can we see? - The black spots on the side,
0:10:10 > 0:10:12where, like, storms on the sun have been happening.
0:10:12 > 0:10:14The sunspots. Yes.
0:10:14 > 0:10:15You're right.
0:10:15 > 0:10:18That one is about the size of the Earth.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20- What?- Whoa.- ALEX:- Wow.
0:10:20 > 0:10:23- If you think how big the Earth is... - Yeah.- ..and how big our country is,
0:10:23 > 0:10:27and how tiny you are on there, that is about the size of the Earth.
0:10:27 > 0:10:29- Oh, my...- The sun is that big.
0:10:29 > 0:10:31Now, what we're going to do is look at...
0:10:31 > 0:10:35- images from a spacecraft, taken today. Look at that.- Wow.
0:10:35 > 0:10:37Now, what on earth am I looking at here?
0:10:37 > 0:10:41- If you look at the Earth, what can you see?- Clouds.- Clouds.- Clouds.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44- We could actually see clouds in the Earth's atmosphere.- Gas clouds.
0:10:44 > 0:10:49- Solar flares?- You're very near. Yes, it's the sun's atmosphere.
0:10:49 > 0:10:53You have to have a special camera that has a kind of a filter
0:10:53 > 0:10:56that allows you to look at the light you can't see with your eyes.
0:10:56 > 0:10:58So, let's look at a movie of that now.
0:10:58 > 0:11:01On here, you can see the sun's atmosphere,
0:11:01 > 0:11:03and it looks like a plate of writhing spaghetti, doesn't it?
0:11:03 > 0:11:05BOTH: Yeah. What do you think it's made of?
0:11:07 > 0:11:09- Gas.- It is.
0:11:09 > 0:11:11In fact, the sun isn't solid at all.
0:11:11 > 0:11:13That's weird, isn't it? BOTH: Yeah.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16Isn't that strange! Here's something really dramatic.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19From one of our instruments in space...
0:11:19 > 0:11:21- Look at that!- Whoa, that's cool.
0:11:21 > 0:11:22Is that a solar flare?
0:11:22 > 0:11:24There is a solar flare in there.
0:11:24 > 0:11:25It looks like a volcano.
0:11:25 > 0:11:27And it does look like a volcano.
0:11:27 > 0:11:32- So does any of that hit the Earth? - Yes, it does. It can, certainly.
0:11:32 > 0:11:35And it causes lots of effects on the Earth.
0:11:35 > 0:11:39That's what causes the aurora to light up, these lights in the sky.
0:11:39 > 0:11:41But they can also cause problems
0:11:41 > 0:11:43for people who are on satellites,
0:11:43 > 0:11:45or you can have power blackouts.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48It's not something to worry about, we just need to understand it,
0:11:48 > 0:11:50so with a lot of our spacecraft we're trying to understand
0:11:50 > 0:11:52what's happening in the sun's atmosphere,
0:11:52 > 0:11:54and how these things come out towards us.
0:11:54 > 0:11:58In these images, the sun is off the right-hand side of the image.
0:11:58 > 0:12:00The Earth is a long way over there,
0:12:00 > 0:12:03and you can see how much the sun is just throwing into space,
0:12:03 > 0:12:05all the gas that it's throwing out.
0:12:05 > 0:12:07It's really quite violent down there.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10Can you imagine coming in in the morning, you sit at your desk,
0:12:10 > 0:12:12you put images on the screen -
0:12:12 > 0:12:14nobody's ever seen that before.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17You're the first person to see something.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20And you don't know what's going to be in that particular set of images.
0:12:20 > 0:12:24It could be something that... A new discovery or something like that.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26That's quite exciting.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29Going into the clean room was really good,
0:12:29 > 0:12:31because of all the kit we had to put on,
0:12:31 > 0:12:34and we felt like professionals.
0:12:34 > 0:12:36It made me feel even more excited
0:12:36 > 0:12:38when we watched the sun videos
0:12:38 > 0:12:41because I found out lots more facts
0:12:41 > 0:12:43about how the sun affects the Earth.
0:12:43 > 0:12:45Trying some astrophysics
0:12:45 > 0:12:47was really inspirational
0:12:47 > 0:12:50because it wasn't quite like I thought.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53But it was still really amazing.
0:12:53 > 0:12:55I liked going in the clean room,
0:12:55 > 0:12:57even though I said I never want to go
0:12:57 > 0:12:58in one of those suits again.
0:12:58 > 0:13:00I had issues with the sticky tape.
0:13:00 > 0:13:02When I was watching the sun videos,
0:13:02 > 0:13:04looking at it from, like, in space
0:13:04 > 0:13:05was really exciting.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08Astrophysics was quite fun.
0:13:08 > 0:13:10It's just a range of different things
0:13:10 > 0:13:12and you never know what's coming up next.
0:13:12 > 0:13:13It's a bit like your dreams.
0:13:13 > 0:13:15But I would still prefer
0:13:15 > 0:13:17to be an astronaut!
0:13:17 > 0:13:19Well, Honey, I thought you did really well.
0:13:19 > 0:13:20I loved the way that you
0:13:20 > 0:13:21approached all the problems
0:13:21 > 0:13:23in a calm and methodical way.
0:13:23 > 0:13:24Sometimes I thought that you were
0:13:24 > 0:13:25a little bit quiet.
0:13:25 > 0:13:27I know you've got lots of questions inside you -
0:13:27 > 0:13:30sometimes you just need to go out there and ask more questions.
0:13:30 > 0:13:32Honey, you did really, really well.
0:13:32 > 0:13:34I was very impressed by your questions.
0:13:34 > 0:13:36They were brilliant, and you showed
0:13:36 > 0:13:38that you knew some of the answers already
0:13:38 > 0:13:39when I asked things, for example,
0:13:39 > 0:13:40and that was excellent.
0:13:40 > 0:13:42You've a good knowledge base there.
0:13:42 > 0:13:44Hi, Leon. You were brilliant.
0:13:44 > 0:13:46One thing I loved about you is
0:13:46 > 0:13:48you were never afraid to ask questions.
0:13:48 > 0:13:50Sometimes you needed a little bit more patience.
0:13:50 > 0:13:51You would jump in too far sometimes.
0:13:51 > 0:13:53Sometimes, just think about what you're doing
0:13:53 > 0:13:54a little bit more.
0:13:54 > 0:13:57Leon, you did brilliantly.
0:13:57 > 0:13:58And I was particularly impressed
0:13:58 > 0:13:59by your attention to detail.
0:13:59 > 0:14:01You could look into the images
0:14:01 > 0:14:02and find things,
0:14:02 > 0:14:04and that's the sort of thing
0:14:04 > 0:14:06you really need as an astrophysicist,
0:14:06 > 0:14:08to go in there and find the little objects,
0:14:08 > 0:14:10the new discovery or whatever,
0:14:10 > 0:14:11so that was brilliant.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19These are my three top tips to becoming a physicist.
0:14:19 > 0:14:21First of all, you should be inquisitive.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24You should ask questions all the time.
0:14:24 > 0:14:26As a physicist, one of the things I mainly do is
0:14:26 > 0:14:28try and discover things and understand things,
0:14:28 > 0:14:30and try and solve problems sometimes,
0:14:30 > 0:14:32so asking questions is really key.
0:14:32 > 0:14:33Tip number two.
0:14:33 > 0:14:35I think, find something that you really like.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38One of the great things about studying physics is
0:14:38 > 0:14:40you are literally studying everything in the universe,
0:14:40 > 0:14:43and that's from the outer reaches of the galaxy, the universe,
0:14:43 > 0:14:46to the tiniest particles we've found,
0:14:46 > 0:14:47and everything else in between.
0:14:47 > 0:14:51And then, finally, I think it's be persistent and be an opportunist.
0:14:51 > 0:14:55I have found that, throughout my career, there's some times
0:14:55 > 0:14:58when things just go horribly wrong and you want to give up,
0:14:58 > 0:15:00but then I think it's really handy to have a crazy dream.
0:15:00 > 0:15:02Mine is that I actually want to travel into space one day.
0:15:02 > 0:15:04It's slightly odd, and slightly crazy,
0:15:04 > 0:15:06but that dream has kept me going,
0:15:06 > 0:15:08and it's enabled to me to get a degree, get a PhD,
0:15:08 > 0:15:09become DOCTOR Maggie,
0:15:09 > 0:15:12and I think without a crazy dream I wouldn't have been able to do that.
0:15:13 > 0:15:16The rookies have travelled to St Pancras station in London,
0:15:16 > 0:15:19where Alex is about to reveal a stellar surprise.
0:15:20 > 0:15:23So, have you got any idea what we're going to be doing next? BOTH: No.
0:15:23 > 0:15:25OK. I'll tell you the secret.
0:15:26 > 0:15:29We're going to go to the Euro Space Center in Belgium...
0:15:29 > 0:15:31BOTH GASP ..and do some astronaut training.
0:15:31 > 0:15:34- That's brilliant!- That's so cool! - Yeah! And not only that,
0:15:34 > 0:15:37we're going to be meeting a genuine real-life actual astronaut.
0:15:37 > 0:15:39- Oh, that's amazing!- That's so cool!
0:15:39 > 0:15:41Come on, then, let's get on the train!
0:15:45 > 0:15:47Alex and the rookies have travelled
0:15:47 > 0:15:48via the Channel Tunnel
0:15:48 > 0:15:50to the Euro Space Center in Belgium.
0:15:53 > 0:15:55The centre hosts loads of hi-tech kit
0:15:55 > 0:15:58to simulate various aspects of space travel,
0:15:58 > 0:16:00and astronaut training.
0:16:01 > 0:16:03If you're going to do some space training,
0:16:03 > 0:16:04you need the right clothing.
0:16:04 > 0:16:06So we've surprised Holly and Leon
0:16:06 > 0:16:09with their very own space flight suits.
0:16:09 > 0:16:11Astronauts wear overalls like these
0:16:11 > 0:16:14when they're working on the International Space Station.
0:16:16 > 0:16:18Pedro Duque was the first Spanish astronaut
0:16:18 > 0:16:21to blast into space.
0:16:21 > 0:16:22He's been to space twice.
0:16:23 > 0:16:25Once in a US shuttle,
0:16:25 > 0:16:28and once in a Russian Soyuz rocket.
0:16:28 > 0:16:30An earlier version of the rocket
0:16:30 > 0:16:31that took British astronaut
0:16:31 > 0:16:33Tim Peake into space.
0:16:33 > 0:16:36So, Pedro, can you tell us your three top tips
0:16:36 > 0:16:38for being a good astronaut?
0:16:38 > 0:16:41The first tip would be trust your team.
0:16:42 > 0:16:46So you're going to fly in space not because of what you do,
0:16:46 > 0:16:49but because of what thousands of people have prepared for you,
0:16:49 > 0:16:50and you have to trust your team.
0:16:50 > 0:16:52Try to be very accurate.
0:16:53 > 0:16:57If you press buttons in any order in a music player or something,
0:16:57 > 0:17:00it doesn't matter. But in a rocket, it does matter.
0:17:00 > 0:17:03Then the third one is going to be keep always high spirits.
0:17:04 > 0:17:08Things will happen, but if you keep high spirits all the time,
0:17:08 > 0:17:11then the team will be in the mood to solve it.
0:17:12 > 0:17:15Pedro's top tips are...
0:17:15 > 0:17:16Trust your team.
0:17:16 > 0:17:18Astronauts must have confidence in
0:17:18 > 0:17:21their highly-skilled support team.
0:17:21 > 0:17:22Be accurate.
0:17:22 > 0:17:25Precision is crucial inside a rocket.
0:17:25 > 0:17:27Mistakes must be avoided!
0:17:27 > 0:17:29And... Positive outlook.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32Challenges always arise in space.
0:17:32 > 0:17:34Staying positive helps when solving problems.
0:17:34 > 0:17:37How did you apply to be an astronaut?
0:17:37 > 0:17:39- PEDRO:- I had already studied to be an engineer,
0:17:39 > 0:17:40I had worked a little bit,
0:17:40 > 0:17:42I was doing diving and everything,
0:17:42 > 0:17:45so I applied to the European Space Agency.
0:17:45 > 0:17:49- In fact, it did appear in the newspaper as a job offer.- Really?!
0:17:49 > 0:17:52Pedro, what have you got lined up for Honey and Leon?
0:17:52 > 0:17:56We're going to try out simulators
0:17:56 > 0:18:01that are similar to what we use to train astronauts for space.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04Marco is an instructor, and he's going to help us.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07So we'll see if you are able to trace this dotted line
0:18:07 > 0:18:10- on this piece of paper with a wax crayon.- Sounds simple. Really easy.
0:18:10 > 0:18:12- Pretty easy. - It does, doesn't it? Yeah.
0:18:12 > 0:18:16Not so easy when strapped into a multiaxis chair.
0:18:16 > 0:18:18Astronauts use kit like this during training
0:18:18 > 0:18:22to get their body accustomed to what might happen on space flights.
0:18:22 > 0:18:26It's a test of coordination, and whether you're calm under pressure.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29First up for this disorientating challenge is Honey.
0:18:30 > 0:18:32Oh, no, this is going to be fun.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35I don't think I'm going to be very good at this drawing.
0:18:35 > 0:18:36OK, you can start now.
0:18:37 > 0:18:38- You OK?- Yeah.
0:18:40 > 0:18:42- It's not that bad, is it?- No.
0:18:42 > 0:18:45- ALEX:- So, what was this machine used for?- Fi-i-ine.
0:18:45 > 0:18:48It's used to see if astronauts are capable of coping
0:18:48 > 0:18:53with the disorientating effects of spinning around a multiple axis.
0:18:53 > 0:18:55She's spinning on the three axes,
0:18:55 > 0:18:59so any direction you can think of, she will be spinning in.
0:18:59 > 0:19:02In physics, a system like this is referred to as a chaos pendulum.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05Honey has been pretty accurate.
0:19:05 > 0:19:07Let's see how Leon gets on.
0:19:11 > 0:19:13- HE LAUGHS - This is hard!
0:19:13 > 0:19:16HE GROANS
0:19:16 > 0:19:18It actually helps, focusing on a specific task.
0:19:18 > 0:19:20The spinning is worse if you're just
0:19:20 > 0:19:23- concentrating on the spinning. - So you've got a little task...
0:19:23 > 0:19:25- Exactly.- ..that you can focus on.
0:19:25 > 0:19:28- Like trying to regain control of the spacecraft.- Exactly.
0:19:28 > 0:19:29Whoa.
0:19:29 > 0:19:30Judging by his attempt,
0:19:30 > 0:19:33Leon looks like he could do with a bit more practice.
0:19:39 > 0:19:40My top tips for being an astronaut.
0:19:40 > 0:19:45First of all, do science or engineering. Something technical.
0:19:45 > 0:19:47Enjoy all sorts of things in life,
0:19:47 > 0:19:50because nobody wants to be with a boring astronaut in space.
0:19:50 > 0:19:53You need to be a good communicator - not just to the public,
0:19:53 > 0:19:57but actually also to your crew and all of the teams around you,
0:19:57 > 0:20:00and importantly, then, be a team worker.
0:20:00 > 0:20:04So, somebody who likes to work in groups with other people.
0:20:05 > 0:20:08We have here the simulator of the space shuttle,
0:20:08 > 0:20:11- the size of the space shuttle. - Wow.- Whoa, that looks cool.
0:20:11 > 0:20:14We are going to simulate the launch.
0:20:14 > 0:20:16Leon, you will be the pilot,
0:20:16 > 0:20:18Honey will be the commander,
0:20:18 > 0:20:20Alex and I, we will be in mission control,
0:20:20 > 0:20:23and we will be giving you some instructions, and being your team.
0:20:23 > 0:20:26- Whoa!- Whoa, that's cool. - Off you go, then.
0:20:26 > 0:20:29Have a safe journey. And, you know, send me a postcard.
0:20:29 > 0:20:30- Yes, we will.- OK!- Right, ta-ra.
0:20:32 > 0:20:35The rookies won't actually be going into space...today.
0:20:35 > 0:20:38But real astronauts do train for space flights
0:20:38 > 0:20:40using simulators like this one.
0:20:40 > 0:20:42- PEDRO:- Please proceed with your first checklist,
0:20:42 > 0:20:44and report results.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47- Instrument power on. - Roger, instrument power on.
0:20:48 > 0:20:50Checklist number three on.
0:20:50 > 0:20:51OK, three.
0:20:51 > 0:20:52UFTs are on.
0:20:52 > 0:20:54Instrument power on.
0:20:54 > 0:20:58- Instrument power on. You see the other side?- Flight control power on.
0:20:58 > 0:20:59Flight control power on.
0:20:59 > 0:21:03General-purpose computer, one to five, on.
0:21:03 > 0:21:04Emergency lighting off.
0:21:04 > 0:21:06Emergency lighting is off.
0:21:06 > 0:21:09- Timer to reset on. - Timer to reset.
0:21:09 > 0:21:13OMS ENG are in off position.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16Orbital manoeuvring system engines are in off position.
0:21:16 > 0:21:18We see you are complete with your checklist. Please proceed.
0:21:19 > 0:21:2213, 12, 11,
0:21:22 > 0:21:24ten, nine, eight, seven...
0:21:27 > 0:21:28- six...- Main engines start.
0:21:28 > 0:21:30..five, four,
0:21:30 > 0:21:32three, two, one...
0:21:32 > 0:21:34- Zero.- Starting ignition.
0:21:39 > 0:21:44Honey and Leon are experiencing what it's like to blast off into space!
0:21:46 > 0:21:48Liftoff, we have a liftoff!
0:21:50 > 0:21:52Hi there, you two. Wow.
0:21:52 > 0:21:54That was exciting. How was it?
0:21:54 > 0:21:58- Fun, really fun.- Yeah?- Really exciting! And realistic.- Yeah.
0:21:58 > 0:22:02So, one thing you had to do is to always know exactly
0:22:02 > 0:22:04which button are you touching.
0:22:04 > 0:22:06So you first look at the button,
0:22:06 > 0:22:08you first look at the button again,
0:22:08 > 0:22:10and then you touch the button.
0:22:10 > 0:22:11- OK.- That's very important.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14You don't want to be pressing the wrong button, I suppose.
0:22:14 > 0:22:18Probably not, no. And then, when you report what you did...
0:22:19 > 0:22:22It's good that the ground, the people on the ground, know that
0:22:22 > 0:22:26you are actually thinking about it, so you have to say what you did.
0:22:26 > 0:22:30So, "I turned on the flight number two."
0:22:30 > 0:22:33Instead of just reading, because then they know you have read
0:22:33 > 0:22:36- and you KNOW what you're doing.- OK.
0:22:36 > 0:22:38I was a bit nervous before I went on
0:22:38 > 0:22:40the multi-axis chair,
0:22:40 > 0:22:41but when I got on it
0:22:41 > 0:22:44I really wanted to stay on it for longer.
0:22:44 > 0:22:47The shuttle simulation was amazing
0:22:47 > 0:22:50because it was like you were in a real shuttle.
0:22:50 > 0:22:51Quite a lot of astronauts
0:22:51 > 0:22:52are astrophysicists, too,
0:22:52 > 0:22:55because they have to do experiments in space,
0:22:55 > 0:22:57and I think that could be me in the future.
0:22:57 > 0:22:59The multi-axis chair was actually quite fun,
0:22:59 > 0:23:01cos you were spinning around,
0:23:01 > 0:23:04but the task wasn't that easy,
0:23:04 > 0:23:06because your brain's trying to concentrate
0:23:06 > 0:23:08on the paper, and your brain's
0:23:08 > 0:23:09shaking around in your head,
0:23:09 > 0:23:11so it's a bit like doing your homework
0:23:11 > 0:23:13when someone interrupts.
0:23:13 > 0:23:14Doing the shuttle mission was hard
0:23:14 > 0:23:16because you had to think about
0:23:16 > 0:23:17the switches you flick,
0:23:17 > 0:23:19and I like to rush into stuff.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22So, Leon, you did great on the multi-axis chair.
0:23:22 > 0:23:24Your body could take the movement
0:23:24 > 0:23:25without any problems.
0:23:25 > 0:23:27Slight lack of coordination
0:23:27 > 0:23:28on the drawing,
0:23:28 > 0:23:30but I'm sure that if you keep it up you will be fine.
0:23:30 > 0:23:32And Honey, you were amazing.
0:23:32 > 0:23:34I mean, your drawing was almost flawless.
0:23:34 > 0:23:36Keep up the good work, and you'll be fine.
0:23:36 > 0:23:38Leon, in the shuttle simulator,
0:23:38 > 0:23:41I have to say you were speaking very clear on the radio,
0:23:41 > 0:23:43you were quick
0:23:43 > 0:23:47on finding which buttons you had to flip
0:23:47 > 0:23:49in order to follow your procedure.
0:23:49 > 0:23:53Maybe if I can give you an advice,
0:23:53 > 0:23:54you should refrain from
0:23:54 > 0:23:56touching all the other buttons randomly.
0:23:56 > 0:24:00Honey, in the task that you had in the shuttle simulator,
0:24:00 > 0:24:02I noticed that you tried to be perfect
0:24:02 > 0:24:03all the time,
0:24:03 > 0:24:05and always press the right buttons.
0:24:05 > 0:24:06This is something that we appreciate
0:24:06 > 0:24:07very, very much.
0:24:12 > 0:24:15Being an astronaut may be out of this world,
0:24:15 > 0:24:19but that doesn't mean you can escape everyday chores like vacuuming.
0:24:19 > 0:24:23The UK's own Tim Peake demonstrating his housekeeping skills.
0:24:23 > 0:24:25Bet Mum's very proud.
0:24:26 > 0:24:30Even simple things like washing your hair can become a tricky affair.
0:24:30 > 0:24:33Here, we see US astronaut Karen Nyberg showing us
0:24:33 > 0:24:36the latest in alien hairstyles.
0:24:36 > 0:24:37Lovely.
0:24:38 > 0:24:40Of course, the simplest option is to have no hair.
0:24:41 > 0:24:45Here's Chris Cassidy using special suction clippers to keep trim.
0:24:46 > 0:24:48Like vacuuming your head.
0:24:48 > 0:24:50Speaking of trim, what about exercise?
0:24:50 > 0:24:54Astronauts need to keep in shape on board, but the microgravity -
0:24:54 > 0:24:55that's weightlessness, to you and me -
0:24:55 > 0:24:58means you have to strap in for a run.
0:24:58 > 0:24:59She's going nowhere fast.
0:25:04 > 0:25:06I think my ultimate career highlight
0:25:06 > 0:25:09was doing a space walk.
0:25:09 > 0:25:13Where you put on a huge, protective set of clothing
0:25:13 > 0:25:18that's really more like building a little one-person spaceship
0:25:18 > 0:25:19around your body,
0:25:19 > 0:25:21and then de-pressurising,
0:25:21 > 0:25:24letting all the air out of one part of your spaceship,
0:25:24 > 0:25:28and then pulling yourself out into the universe.
0:25:28 > 0:25:31And being alone out in the universe
0:25:31 > 0:25:32as an astronaut.
0:25:32 > 0:25:34That...
0:25:34 > 0:25:36was the coolest thing that ever happened to me.
0:25:38 > 0:25:42The rookies have had an experience of universal proportions.
0:25:42 > 0:25:45Their minds and bodies have been tested to extremes,
0:25:45 > 0:25:48and they've even blasted off into space!
0:25:48 > 0:25:49Well, almost.
0:25:49 > 0:25:52But have they got what it takes to do it for real?
0:25:56 > 0:25:59Honey and Leon, I think you've got what it takes to make
0:25:59 > 0:26:01your way in the space-exploration business.
0:26:01 > 0:26:03You've both got passion and enthusiasm,
0:26:03 > 0:26:05and I know you'll do well.
0:26:05 > 0:26:08Honey, Leon, given the enthusiasm you've shown,
0:26:08 > 0:26:11the questions that you've asked, the interest you've shown,
0:26:11 > 0:26:14I have absolutely no doubt whatsoever that you could both
0:26:14 > 0:26:18have wonderful careers in space science in the future.
0:26:18 > 0:26:22Honey and Leon, I saw that you trusted your team,
0:26:22 > 0:26:25I saw that you wanted to be accurate all the time,
0:26:25 > 0:26:27and I saw that you kept high spirits
0:26:27 > 0:26:29and high enthusiasm in everything you did,
0:26:29 > 0:26:34so I think you've got all that it takes to be an astronaut.
0:26:34 > 0:26:35You've been through the whole thing now.
0:26:35 > 0:26:38You've met an astrophysicist, you've studied the sun,
0:26:38 > 0:26:40you've done astronaut training,
0:26:40 > 0:26:41you've met a real-life astronaut!
0:26:41 > 0:26:43So, after all that...
0:26:43 > 0:26:45Leon, do you still want to be an astronaut?
0:26:45 > 0:26:47- Yes, I do!- Yeah, you sure?
0:26:47 > 0:26:49Yeah, because all the assignments I've done,
0:26:49 > 0:26:52I found them really exciting. It makes me want to do it more.
0:26:52 > 0:26:55OK. What about you, Honey? You wanted to be an astrophysicist.
0:26:55 > 0:26:57Do you still want to be one of those?
0:26:57 > 0:26:59I do still want to be an astrophysicist,
0:26:59 > 0:27:01but also do a bit of astronaut work.
0:27:01 > 0:27:02Well, you can do that, can't you?
0:27:02 > 0:27:04You can do that. You can start as an astrophysicist
0:27:04 > 0:27:07- and then go up into space.- Yeah. - So, it's open to you, isn't it?
0:27:07 > 0:27:08Well, follow your dream.
0:27:08 > 0:27:11Shoot for the moon. And if you don't make it,
0:27:11 > 0:27:12at least you'll reach the stars.
0:27:12 > 0:27:16- Actually, Alex, I think that is impossible.- Is it?
0:27:16 > 0:27:18I've learned nothing on the show, have I?
0:27:18 > 0:27:21Well, I think Leon and Honey have had a blast.
0:27:21 > 0:27:24They found out that astrophysics isn't all rocket science,
0:27:24 > 0:27:28and they've had an astronomically good time doing astronaut training.
0:27:28 > 0:27:31You know, I reckon they've both got stellar careers ahead of them.
0:27:31 > 0:27:33ROCKETS BOOM Don't go!
0:27:33 > 0:27:34Wait for me!
0:27:35 > 0:27:38Ironically, they probably didn't have enough space. Hah.
0:27:38 > 0:27:40Anyway, I'd better go. Don't want to miss me bus.