The students representing the Physics and Space Science, American Studies, Geology and Archaeology courses have named their team The Valerian Dream after the Leicester Rock Society band, and will be taking part in the ESA student parabolic flight campaign, in Bordeaux. 30 teams from across Europe were chosen from approximately 200 applicants to design, construct and operate an experiment in simulated zero gravity.

Doug Robinson, one of the team members said: "The University's contribution involves the reaction of various physiological and chemical mechanisms within a tobacco plant due to zero gravity, directly related to the amounts of Carbon Dioxide taken in and Water vapour and Oxygen given out.

"This will be of valuable use in an enclosed environment such as the International Space Station and the next generation of human habitats like Moon Stations."

The parabolic flight will take them from an altitude of 16,000 feet to a height of some 24,000 feet - experiencing zero G for some 25 seconds.

Earlier this month the four students began training at RAF Henlow, in what in known as the "Vomit Comet". Their Parabolic Flight Campaign starts on the 17th July.