This month CNN's show Spark explores recent developments in space travel. The show airs on 24 October at 6 PM and on 30 October at 4 PM

CNN space correspondent Miles O’Brien kicks off the programme by reporting on X-Prize. This is a contest to send a spaceship to an altitude of 100 kilometres twice within two weeks. O’Brien looks into the commercial implications of this technology and whether it will spark interest in space tourism.

This episode of Spark will also feature Africa’s First Spaceman, South African entrepreneur Mark Shuttleworth, as he relays his experience as one of the world’s first galactic tourists. CNN will find out how he prepared for this journey, his experience of being weightless in space and his return to earth.

The half-hour programme then takes a swift telepathic turn giving viewers the latest insight into Skype, a small Luxembourg-based company that is revolutionising the phone industry.

Additionally, Spark looks at the popular online gaming trends as companies shift towards this type of business to turn play money into real cash.