Band Aid co-founder Sir Bob Geldof will become the first Irish man in space next year.

The 61-year-old grandfather confirmed that he will be travelling into space as one of the first ever Space XC astronauts in 2015.

Geldof said, "Being the 'First Irishman in Space' is not only a fantastic honor but pretty mind-blowing. The First Rock Astronaut Space Rat!”

The "I Don't Like Mondays" singer was given the opportunity after his band agreed to perform at a charity ball where flights into space will be auctioned for charity, the BBC reports.

The flight is being organized by SXC and World Privilege Card who confirmed that three other people will be able to purchase tickets at the auction to fly into space with Sir Bob. The trip is expected to fly in early 2015.

The four-rocket plane will take off from a normal runway on the Caribbean isle of Curacao. The flight is expected to take one hour.

“Elvis may have left the building but Bob Geldof will have left the Planet! Wild!

"Who would have thought it possible in my lifetime? I will be joined by a couple of fellow
astronauts who will bid to participate in this extraordinary adventure on this amazing night."

The Boomtown Rats frontman will begin training in the space flight simulator based in Holland this coming weekend.