It's about pulling off the biggest hoax in television history. Convincing a group of starry-eyed thrill seekers they have blasted off from Russia into space and are orbiting the earth, when in fact they are in Suffolk.
An army of talent has been enlisted to create the illusion. The shuttle itself came from a company in Hollywood called Wonderworks, who had a set they'd used in the film Space Cowboys, made from a NASA blueprint.
The actors promote the authenticity of the base and act as a safeguard. Should a cadet become suspicious, an actor can reassure and guide them away from exposing the deception.
They know they're on a TV show, but they have no idea what TV show.
They have been filmed at every stage, from audition to training, so they could well believe they are on TV 24/7.
It's a groundbreaking high-risk programme. Plus everyone loves a good prank.
The cadets were on holiday when the show was announced, far away from access to UK TV or press.
The Space Shuttle Endeavour cost approximately $1.7 billion (£980 million). The average cost to launch a space shuttle is about $450 million (£250 million) per mission.
