It only takes eightand-a-half minutes to reach orbit, then you're floating in space, looking down at the planet.

But the rocket’s second stage engine switched off too early, and the satellite did not reach orbit.

Neither was a ground-launched rocket with the ability to reach orbit, as a rocket must do to launch heavy payloads, however.

Though the craft will not reach orbit, its passengers will experience weightlessness and spectacular views of the planet.

Boosters will fall away as the capsules reach orbit.