Space Cadets: Encyclopedia II - Space Cadets - Participants

Space Cadets - Participants

• Andrew Carter, 19, a student from London.
• Sarah-Jane Cass, 19, a media studies student from Kent.
• Cheryl Dearie, 23, a housing association assistant (receptionist) from Glasgow.
• Paul French, 26, a plasterer from Bristol.
• Keri Hassett, 25, a college administrator from Birmingham.
• Billy Jackson, 25, a recruitment consultant from Kent.
• Ryan McBride, 28, an electrician living in London.
• Louise Nisbet, 23, a teacher from Whitstable.
• Astrid Roberts, 19, a call centre worker from Glamorgan.

French, Hassett and Jackson were chosen for the fake flight.

Space Cadets - Actors

The three actor Cadets were played by Charlie Skelton, Ranie Daw and Steve Hester. Hester dropped out on day three after a bout of gastroenteritis and after Skelton accidentally kicked his toenail off. Skelton, also a comedy writer, was chosen to take part in the flight.

The two pilots were improvisional actors, Alex Humes and Drew Leavy (Drew Dawson), who stayed in character the entire flight, even when alone. Humes, portraying a Russian pilot, became noted for his bizarre & cryptic statements due to his method acting.

Johnny Vaughan - Writer, Host
Michael Klesic - Dr. Vladimir Negovetic
Valera Riazanov (Physical Instructor)

Johnny Vaughan - Writer
Alex Zane - Host
Jeremy Edwards (Episode 1.1)
Myleene Klass (Episodes 1.1, 1.2)
Richard X Campbell (Episode 1.2)

Space Cadets - Audition process

In order for the hoax to stand a realistic chance of succeeding, the Cadets would have to remain unaware of the true nature of the show, even given any production mistakes and implausible explanations.

As such, a strict set of criteria were applied to filter out inappropriate applicants:

• Eliminating anyone who had ever served in the armed forces, or who already had a significant interest in space travel or science fiction.
• Psychological tests used to single out the highly suggestible and those who would conform to groupthink
• Physiological tests to determine claustrophobia, including being in restraining jackets and trapped in a full lift
• Being asked to dance blindfolded, without music, and with others watching, to gauge inhibition levels
• Asking the candidates to nominate a friend or relative they trusted implicitly, to make a vital and important decision for them. These friends or relatives were contacted, and fully let in on the hoax, and given the final say of whether or not the Cadet should be included

The intention was to obtain a group of Cadets who were highly gullible, conformist, and ignorant about the show's subject matter; and also ideally suited to appearing in a Reality TV show (e.g. uninhibited extroverts, "wacky personalities", or characters otherwise able to capture the public interest).

Space Cadets - Prize

All nine contestants won a genuine trip to Russia, including a trip to Star City (a small town to the north-west of Moscow which is the home to a Cosmonaut training facility); and a ride on a parabolic flight to experience weightlessness (known as a Vomit Comet) for around 25 seconds. In addition, each Cadet won a cash prize of £5,000 each. The three cadets that "went into space" won a cash prize of £25,000 each (£5,000 per "day in space").

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Participants", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki