Space race: Chair mimics rocketship Travel & Hospitality – in your living room

London – A new project offers a glimpse into space travel for consumers at home. Named for the 1960s Russian spacecraft, the ‘Soyuz’ chair by RCA graduate Nelly Ben Hayoun recreates the rattling and shaking space adventurers experience while sitting in a rocket during take-off.

As part of the designer’s ‘Physics of the Impossible’ project – and created in collaboration with the astronaut Jean-Pierre Haigneré, who experienced the actual Soyuz rocket twice – the chair is a hint at a future where space travel is not only possible, but is available even to those in their living room.

Space travel captured the public’s imagination five years ago when Virgin Atlantic chairman Richard Branson announced plans to launch commercial space flights with Virgin Galactic. Another wave of interest is round the corner, as space tourism is no longer reserved for the very rich.

In your sitting room, no one can hear you scream – except the neighbours.