Lindsey Flies in Space (Well Nearly) Blue Peter Bite

This is Blue Peter, but mini.

Expect epic adventures, makes, bakes, badges, pets,

presenters, and your post.

We've only got five minutes, so get ready for your Blue Peter adventure.

Just like you,

we've been gripped by Tim Peake's amazing six months up in space.

Hello, Barney, and hi to Blue Peter.

But there is a way to experience a big part of life on board

the International Space Station,

without leaving the Earth's atmosphere.

To do it, I've had to travel to France,

because this special plane can recreate weightlessness.

We've all seen Tim and other astronauts floating in space,

but what causes this to happen?

Well, it's all to do with falling.

Here comes the science.

The Earth's gravity pulls everything towards its surface,

including the International Space Station.

But because the Space Station is travelling so fast

around our planet, its fall matches the curve of the Earth,

and that's what stops it dropping to the ground.

Just like the Space Station, the astronauts inside are falling

at the same speed, and this makes everything appear to float.

And that's where this plane comes in.

It's going to perform a series of steep climbs and descents.

Every time the plane goes over the peak of the curve,

everyone and everything on board will start to float,

just like Tim does.

From the outside, it looks like any other plane.

Just like on the inside.

Until you realise that the other half of the plane

is a massive, padded room.

And it's through there that I'll get to experience weightlessness.

I am so excited.

But before I get to fly, there's some important work to do.

Weightlessness can cause big changes to astronauts and their kit,

so this plane is used to find out how space affects them.

So, I'm going to be joined by this group of scientists,

who are all busy preparing all the experiments that they need to

take up and test during the fight.

Ulrich's team are the only ones on board who are going to be

conducting a test on the human body during the flight.

-Yeah, we are doing an experiment on the heart.

-Ah.

Because the heart and the vessels do not work the same way in space

as they do on ground.

Cristina's team are testing a new robot.

We'll take soil from an asteroid, and put it into a canister.

So the scientists can bring the canister back to Earth to study it.

With the experiments prepped,

it's time for us to begin the ride of our lives.

As soon as we are up in the air, we start to get into position

and lie down in the padded area of the plane.

You can feel the excitement in here.

I really don't know what to expect, but...

This is just going to be amazing.

The time has arrived.

The scientists are ready and the plane begins its steep climb.

Oh, my heart. You would not believe how fast it's beating.

Oh, wow. Oh, I feel heavy.

'And then we start to drop.'

Oh, my goodness. Oh, my goodness.

Oh, wow. Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow!

I'm starting to float.

'I had no idea what to expect, but this is utterly incredible!'

Whoa! I'm floating! Oh, my goodness! What do I do?

This is the most amazing...

I'm floating! This is the weirdest feeling!

Oh, wow!

That was the most...bizarre feeling of my life.

'On my next go, I start to get the hang of it,

'with a bit of help from the team on board.'

Let's walk on the ceiling.

Whoa! Look at this!

I'm walking on the ceiling.

Waah!

Can I do a flip?

Waah!

SHE LAUGHS

Oh, my goodness!

This is the most ridiculous feeling of my life!

Aaah!

Whoo! OK, going to try and swim.

Whoo!

'It's so fun. But it doesn't last forever.'

Oh, dear. Oh!

SHE LAUGHS

Each period of weightlessness lasts around 25 seconds -

just enough time for the scientists to carry out their experiments.

-It's going really great.

-Uh-huh?

-It's good. We get good images,

from the ultrasound.

-So you're happy with all the results so far?

-Yeah, really happy.

-Very stressed doing science with weightlessness.

-Yeah, I bet!

-But are you having fun?

-A lot of fun.

Oh, you're going over there.

-You have no choice where you go, do you?

-I'm sorry.

'But they're not the only ones with highly scientific experiments to do.

'I got a few of my own.'

First up, floating the badge...

Whoa!

'..tying my shoelaces...'

I've got to try and put it on. Haven't got long to do it.

I got the shoe on, now I've got to do my laces!

Ah! How does Tim Peake do this?

Ah! I can't do my laces!

'How about floating on a magic carpet?'

Whoo! 'Aladdin made this look really easy.

'And what about brushing my hair?

'That's my scientific experiments almost done.

'But there's one last thing I've always wanted to try.'

I'm flying!

I'm a superhero!

Do you know what, that was just the most incredible experience

I think I've ever had in my life.

And to think that I got to see just what it's like for Tim Peake

to live, work, and do everything that he does up in space,

is phenomenal.

I want to go again!

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