Bob Geldof is hoping to become the first Irishman in space.

The Boom Town Rats frontman has signed up to travel with Space Expedition Corporation next year at a cost of €75,000.

He is joining an elite group of 100 people who have bought a ticket for this commercial space flight.

Speaking to the BBC last night Bob revealed how the trip came about.

"The Boom Town Rats were asked to do a gig at the Natural History Museum...on the date of my birthday - October 5th - for this big corporate do" he said.

"And by-the-by they just said 'oh, would you fancy a flight to space as a sort-of birthday present?', and I went 'Yes' and that was it".

"I mean who wouldn't want to leave the planet?" he added.

Richard Hollingham is BBC Future's Science Correspondent. He told Breakfast here on Newstalk about what the trip will be like - starting with the type of vessel he will be travelling in.