Steven Russell, as he might appear above the Isle of Wight.
AN Isle of Wight man hopes to go where no Islander has gone before.
Budding Buzz Aldrin, Steven Russell, wants Islanders to help make his dream of becoming the first Island astronaut a reality in a new competition.
The global competition, launched by the Apollo 11 legend and run by deodorant brand Lynx, is looking for 22 people, including one lucky Brit, to blast off to 103km above the Earth, on a shuttle, with space tourism company SpaceXC.
To win a place on board next year, applicants like Steven must create an on-line profile, telling the world why they deserve to go into space.
The public are invited to vote for them, with the top 200 advancing to a stage in London that will challenge them physically and mentally.
The four best-equipped candidates will then be flown out to the Global Space Camp in Florida to compete in further, more rigorous NASA-style tests, against winners from 75 other countries.
Steven, 23, of Victoria Road, Sandown, who has a degree in sports science and A-levels in all the sciences and plays for Newport FC, believes his all-round abilities make him an excellent candidate to become the Island’s first spaceman.
The self-employed graphic designer said: "I have a keen interest in space and it would be a dream come true if I went there. Like many kids growing up, I imagined I could become an astronaut one day.
"However, I also have a more realistic and scientific interest.
"I feel I stand a chance of getting there as I’m physically fit and I could excel in the mental challenges.
"The Island has a rich history of pioneering space rocket technology, with the Black Knight and the Black Arrow projects, so this seems like a fun opportunity to make a little more history for the Island."
• To vote for Steven, log on to tinyurl.com/sriwspace
Reporter: jonm@iwcpmail.co.uk