Russia has laid out its ambition to gain an edge in the space race by building a nuclear-powered spaceship.

Ivan Pozdayev and his classmates at the International Space School in a Russian military enclave ignite a model rocket made from Coca-Cola bottles and grin as it soar high over the tree tops.

The fantasy of taking a holiday in outer space becomes a reality on Saturday when a US multi-millionaire blasts off to become the world’s first space tourist.