The next time your girlfriend asks you for the moon and stars, you’ll have something better than a dumb look and placating flowers to offer, with the Virgin Galactic Space Tourism Programme geared to launch its first space flight!

Around 120 tourists have signed up for a two-hour trip on the SpaceShip2 (SS2)  aircraft to the stars and back which incidentally, costs £128,000. Sir Richard Branson, a business tycoon best known for his Virgin Group will also be undertaking this unique journey along with his son Sam and daughter Holly. Virgin Galactic announced today that a total of 529 people - including, it is believed, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie - have signed up for an SpaceShip2 trip.

The aircraft will be flying 60 miles into space sometime next year from Spaceport America in new Mexico. So pack your fishing nets and lassos and go catch yourself a star. The impossible is suddenly possible now!