The Eden Project will take visitors on a Journey Into Space this summer (July 27 to September 3).

The ambitious new season of activities features a virtual tour of the eight planets.

This is the first time Eden has staged Journey Into Space. Highlights include the chance to train as an astronaut and have an encounter with an alien.

At the Astronaut Academy visitors can try out a Space Walk challenge in a giant inflatable and radio control an Eden space exploration vehicle.

As visitors arrive for their space mission they will be greeted by a special video recording from British astronaut Tim Peake of the European Space Agency.

There will also be a rare chance to see a prototype of the ExoMars rover being developed by Airbus in the UK and an exhibition of images from the Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition.

In the Mediterranean Biome there will be daily talks from space experts including from the European Space Agency, National Space Centre and the Royal Observatory Greenwich.

During Journey Into Space Eden will be open until 8pm from Mondays to Thursdays.

For children with additional needs there will be relaxed space sessions on Friday and Sunday mornings.