Transcript of Teamwork Under Pressure | How To Become An Astronaut | Part 4 | BBC Earth Science

For the final part of the swim test, Chris and the panel want to see how well the candidates work together. [Chris] So much of what astronauts do is not just to have the raw ability, but a proven ability to apply their intelligence to solve problems. And not just as one person, but as a team. So how do you test for intelligent teamwork? [Narrator] First to face the teamwork test are Tim, Suzy, Merritt and Tessa. [Chris] On the bottom of the pool in front of you are seven pieces. They fit together into a cube. There are 240 different ways that those pieces will go together. So you have no excuse. [Narrator] This test is based on one used by the Canadian Space Agency in their latest astronaut-selection process. [Chris] You'll have 10 minutes total. Three… two… one… begin! OK, do you want someone up the top? - Yes. - Or hand signals? [Chris] A good team will communicate well with each other, and then they'll distribute roles. It's going to be a real test of leadership and of teamwork. Shall I go down and give her a hand? Yes. By putting this test on the bottom of a swimming pool, it takes what should be a fairly simple task and puts it in a more space-like environment. [Kevin] You're up against your own physiology, how long you can hold your own breath. You have to communicate non-verbally when you're under the water and they've got limited time. It's going to be pretty difficult. Two square cubes go in that corner, and you'll have one… [Narrator] While her teammates work at the bottom of the pool, Tessa stays on the surface to direct them. She's trying to get them to organise together. Make that hole so the green T fits inside it. This test assesses the candidates' 3D visualisation, the ability to move the shapes around in their heads… [Kevin] They've got sort of a rectangle. I mean, they haven't used all the pieces. [Narrator] ..something this team is struggling with. Three minutes. Suzy has been over catching her breath for a minute. [Narrator] With the team in disarray, quantum physicist Merritt tries to take on the cube alone. I'm not sure how directed Merritt's action is. Merritt's kind of, like, she's doing her own thing. [Chris] She's decided it has a better chance with just her. One minute remaining. One minute. [Tim] Let's do the best we can do now. [Tessa] Yeah, OK. This is not a great performance, I have to say. They're nowhere close. (Beeping) [Chris] Time! [Tim] Well done, team. It was so difficult to do anything under the water, cos by the time you got to the bottom of the pool, you were out of breath already and you had to swim back up. I do think we should have talked more throughout the test. [Merritt] I felt comfortable underneath the water. And so if I saw something, I thought, "Oh, I'll try this" and then come back up. [Tessa] I kind of was, like, base is wrong, the base is wrong. But then you guys were doing like a great job assembling it, I kind of doubted myself. I'm not happy with what's just happened because I feel like part of it's my fault and communication wasn't as effective as it could have been. And I know I should have communicated a bit better, and I should have got them to listen.