Former MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE star JUSTIN BERFIELD is planning to jet into orbit with Richard Branson when the Virgin tycoon launches the first commercial space flight next year (09).

The 22-year-old actor has reportedly paid $250,000 (GBP125,000) for a seat on a Virgin Galactic space flight.

Berfield, whose production company J2TV reportedly has links to Branson's charity Virgin Unite, is one of a number of celebrities linked to the first space trips; former Star Trek star William Shatner, rockers Dave Navarro and Moby, actress Victoria Principal and astrophysicist Stephen Hawking are all hoping to take off with Branson.

Those with enough money for a seat will get to experience five minutes of weightlessness during a two-and-a-half hour flight miles above the earth.