The aim, according to the European companies planning to introduce this experience, is to make space travel available and most of all, affordable for everyone.

We must point out at this point that Grégoire Loretan from Swiss Space Systems, the main player in the project, says that the trials are expected to begin in 2020 to get the technology in place to shoot some red-skinned Brits into space, so it’s not exactly ‘around the corner.’

The idea is to launch from a base close to Maspalomas, Gran Canaria, which serves two purposes: huge amounts of tourists eager to be parted from their cash and a launch site far enough into the Atlantic so as not to worry any populated areas.

Mr. Loretan, who says the goal of all involved is to “democratize” access to space travel and make it available to all, not just astronauts and millionaires, is planning to stick a space-shuttle-type vehicle on top of an Airbus 300. The Airbus would take the  shuttle up to about 10km and from there, the shuttle would release from the plane and continue on up… and up… and up, to 100kms further into space, before coming back down to earth. Hopefully still containing the six passengers, and not just six char-grilled Brits with their fingers embedded into the armrests, blackened hair pointing backwards and a manic-looking, scream-like expressions on their charcoal-like faces… only joking.

No overweight, drunk, red skinned British tourists were injured in the writing of this article.

(News: Spain)