Space Camp Challenge

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8 Irish 14-16-year-olds have a once in a lifetime experience as they try to prove they have what it takes to command a space mission, and live and work in space. The US Space and Rocket Centre in Alabama is home to the 'Space Camp' programme that sees thousands of young people immerse themselves in astronaut training techniques adapted from NASA's astronaut training programme. For the first time, Irish teenagers undergo a series of rigorous tests to prepare themselves for a final challenge - to command their own simulated mission to Mars. Our eight experience Moon gravity, simulate a moonwalk, are flung in all directions on a multi-axis trainer, build and launch their own rockets and train in the Underwater Astronaut Training tank. Our aspiring astronauts command their own mission on board the ISS (International Space Station) and do a Space Walk to make external repairs to the ISS. Finally, they land on Mars and try to survive all the "anomalies" thrown at them by their trainers. They must work as a team to combat the challenges thrown at them and keep their teammates and their craft safe. Our 8 wannabe astronauts were carefully cast via a nationwide, highly publicised call. Throughout the series, the action and challenges are intercut with personal interviews with each of the 8 talking about what they're finding tough and how they feel about the challenges ahead. "Space Camp Challenge" gives the brainy kids a chance to shine in this highly entertaining 6-part series.