Coming soon, trips to space on rocket fuelled by old car tyres!

London, July 2 (ANI): The idea of space tourism has moved one step close to reality after UK's biggest passenger space rocket, fuelled by old car tyres, was unveiled.

Nova 2 is designed to carry three passengers more than 60 miles above the Earth for 20-minute trips.

And to make it more environmentally friendly it will use rocket fuel partly made from recycled tyres.

Steve Bennett, the man behind the aircraft, unveiled the rocket at Salford University where he is head of the space technology lab, reports the Mirror.

Steve, who admits he was inspired by children's TV series 'Thunderbirds', has spent 10 years planning the privately manned flights.

He needs 7million pounds funding but hopes the 3,500mph trips, costing 98,000 pounds a time, will be operating by 2013.

The 58ft rocket will have an unmanned test launch in September 2009 from a spaceport in New Mexico. (ANI)