Hamish Fagg Prepares to Be First New Zealander in Space

Hamish Fagg, an engineering student from New Plymouth, is preparing to become the first New Zealander in space. The 21-year-old student has returned from his trip to a space academy camp in Florida after bagging the contest prize for the chance to take a commercial flight to space.

Mr Fagg said he had undergone testing in the space academy to ensure he is suitable for the space flight. He found the obstacle course the most difficult part of the rigorous testing which pushed him to his limits.

He recalled going on a plane that went up to 103km with the flight lasting for an hour. Mr Fagg said the time that will be spent in space will only be around three or four minutes. He described the plane as an airline with no seats. The plane was flying parabolic arcs for 30 seconds from time to time which made them feel like floating on air.

The plane for the commercial space flight is currently under construction and is scheduled to launch in 2014.

LYNX has chosen Mr Fagg as one of the elite few in the world to fly in sub-orbital space. Out of the two Kiwi finalists, he emerged the victor after completing aptitude tests, various physical challenges and g-force training to take the mission of a lifetime in 2014.

Mr Fagg was joined by other participants from different countries who won a seat on XCOR Aerospace's LYNX suborbital reusable launch vehicle. The project is endorsed by Buzz Aldrin, one of the world's famous astronauts ever to walk on the moon.

According to Mr Aldrin, space travel is the "next frontier in human experience." He said he is excited for LYNX in giving young people the chance to experience being in space. The contest was a promotion for LYNX's new fragrance, LYNX Apollo. Boys and girls from around the world were free to sign up for the chance of a lifetime.

First Australian in space

Tim Gibson from Brisbane will also represent Australia as one of the lucky passengers who won a commercial flight to space. The 28-year-old was selected out of more than 100 candidates. Only 23 winners from the competition will board XCOR's rocket plane. Mr Gibson will be the first Australian citizen in space.