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Briton Tim Peake blasts off for space Briton Tim Peake blasts off for space
(35 minutes later)
The rocket carrying Briton Tim Peake on his landmark flight to the International Space Station has launched from Kazakhstan.The rocket carrying Briton Tim Peake on his landmark flight to the International Space Station has launched from Kazakhstan.
The Soyuz space capsule is carrying Russian Yuri Malenchenko, American Tim Kopra and "Major Tim", who will spend six months on the station.The Soyuz space capsule is carrying Russian Yuri Malenchenko, American Tim Kopra and "Major Tim", who will spend six months on the station.
The former army pilot is making history as the first official UK astronaut.The former army pilot is making history as the first official UK astronaut.
Lift off occurred from the launch pad where, in 1961, Yuri Gagarin became the first human in space.Lift off occurred from the launch pad where, in 1961, Yuri Gagarin became the first human in space.
Tim Peake Live: latest updates and video from the launchTim Peake Live: latest updates and video from the launch
Mr Peake will spend seven months on board the ISS where he will conduct a programme of scientific experiments and participate in educational activities designed to attract young people into science. At blast-off, the rocket generated 422.5 tonnes of thrust - equivalent to 26 million horse power.
After one minute, the rocket was soaring upwards at 1,000mph (1,600km/h) and one minute later the four first-stage boosters strapped around the rocket fuselage were jettisoned.
Zero gravity was reached by the Soyuz spacecraft after nine minutes of travel.Zero gravity was reached by the Soyuz spacecraft after nine minutes of travel.
Docking at the ISS is scheduled to take place at 17:24 GMT (23:24 local time).Docking at the ISS is scheduled to take place at 17:24 GMT (23:24 local time).
Tim Peake in space: Want to know more?Tim Peake in space: Want to know more?
Tim Peake live: Launch day live video and updates
Special report page: For the latest news, analysis and videoSpecial report page: For the latest news, analysis and video
Video: How the view from space affects your mindVideo: How the view from space affects your mind
Explainer: The journey into spaceExplainer: The journey into space
Social media: Twitter looks ahead to lift-offSocial media: Twitter looks ahead to lift-off
Earlier, Mr Peake said goodbye to his family and friends including his wife, Rebecca, and two sons, Thomas, six and Oliver, four. Mr Peake will spend seven months on board the ISS where he will conduct scientific experiments and carry out educational projects designed to attract young people into science.
Earlier, he said goodbye to his family and friends including his wife, Rebecca, and two sons, Thomas, six and Oliver, four.
Sitting on the shoulders of his grandfather, Tim's youngest son cried loudly, saying: "I want to go with Daddy."
The Chichester-born man is the first Briton to join the crew of the ISS and is employed by the European Space Agency (Esa).The Chichester-born man is the first Briton to join the crew of the ISS and is employed by the European Space Agency (Esa).
On arrival, he and his two companions will join the trio already on board, including Nasa astronaut Scott Kelly who is spending a year on the orbiting station as part of a medical research programme.On arrival, he and his two companions will join the trio already on board, including Nasa astronaut Scott Kelly who is spending a year on the orbiting station as part of a medical research programme.
Other Britons who have flown into space did so either as private individuals - Richard Garriott and Mark Shuttleworth - or by taking US citizenship and joining Nasa - the astronauts Piers Sellers and Nicholas Patrick.Other Britons who have flown into space did so either as private individuals - Richard Garriott and Mark Shuttleworth - or by taking US citizenship and joining Nasa - the astronauts Piers Sellers and Nicholas Patrick.
Another British-born Nasa astronaut, Michael Foale, already had dual citizenship through his US mother.Another British-born Nasa astronaut, Michael Foale, already had dual citizenship through his US mother.
Helen Sharman became the first British citizen to travel to space when she visited the Soviet space station Mir in 1991.Helen Sharman became the first British citizen to travel to space when she visited the Soviet space station Mir in 1991.
Earlier, Ms Sharman told BBC News: "Tim has trained for six years, so he will know the spacecraft and the space station inside out.Earlier, Ms Sharman told BBC News: "Tim has trained for six years, so he will know the spacecraft and the space station inside out.
"Whatever situation is thrown at him, he'll be well equipped to deal with it.""Whatever situation is thrown at him, he'll be well equipped to deal with it."