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Briton Tim Peake blasts off for space Tim Peake heads for International Space Station
(about 1 hour later)
The rocket carrying Briton Tim Peake on his landmark flight to the International Space Station has launched from Kazakhstan. The Soyuz space capsule carrying UK astronaut Tim Peake is in orbit around the Earth, heading for the International Space Station.
The Soyuz space capsule is carrying Russian Yuri Malenchenko, American Tim Kopra and "Major Tim", who will spend six months on the station. "Major Tim", and fellow crew members Russian Yuri Malenchenko and American Tim Kopra, are due to dock with the ISS at 17:24 GMT (23:24 Kazakh time).
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. He was waved off by his wife and two sons at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan earlier on Tuesday.
The launch was from the same place where Yuri Gagarin became the first human in space in 1961.
Tim Peake Live: latest updates and video from the launchTim Peake Live: latest updates and video from the launch
Tim Peake: Space launch in picturesTim Peake: Space launch in pictures
Special Report: Tim Peake, UK astronaut
At blast-off, the rocket generated 422.5 tonnes of thrust - equivalent to 26 million horse power.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 were jettisoned. The launch went with no reported problems and after one minute, the rocket was soaring upwards at 1,000mph (1,600km/h).
After two minutes, the four boosters strapped around the rocket 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 Kazakh time). Working with mission controllers on Earth, the crew will now be nudging the space capsule towards its rendezvous with the International Space Station (ISS).
'Amazing sight' According to the European Space Agency (Esa), both the Soyuz capsule and the ISS should be visible in the sky shortly before the docking procedure this evening.
Mr Peake will spend six months on board the ISS where he will conduct scientific experiments and carry out educational projects designed to attract young people into science.Mr Peake will spend six 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. 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."Sitting on the shoulders of his grandfather, Tim's youngest son cried loudly, saying: "I want to go with Daddy."
After the craft entered orbit, relatives and friends cheered and hugged.After the craft entered orbit, relatives and friends cheered and hugged.
Mr Peake's wife Rebecca was heard to say: "Wasn't it an amazing sight? I had the biggest smile on my face."Mr Peake's wife Rebecca was heard to say: "Wasn't it an amazing sight? I had the biggest smile on my face."
At the scene: Paul Rincon, Science editor, BBC News onlineAt the scene: Paul Rincon, Science editor, BBC News online
It was freezing cold here at Baikonur Cosmodrome, but the evening sun cast a warm glow on the Soyuz rocket that was to take Tim Peake on his first flight into space.It was freezing cold here at Baikonur Cosmodrome, but the evening sun cast a warm glow on the Soyuz rocket that was to take Tim Peake on his first flight into space.
Tim looked to be in good spirits as he got into his white Sokol flight suit earlier in the day - smiling, giving the press the thumbs up, and in one touching moment waving goodbye to his two young sons Oliver and Thomas from the window of the bus that was taking him to the launch pad.Tim looked to be in good spirits as he got into his white Sokol flight suit earlier in the day - smiling, giving the press the thumbs up, and in one touching moment waving goodbye to his two young sons Oliver and Thomas from the window of the bus that was taking him to the launch pad.
As the support structures fell away from the Soyuz rocket, there was tension among everyone who had been following Mr Peake's amazing journey.As the support structures fell away from the Soyuz rocket, there was tension among everyone who had been following Mr Peake's amazing journey.
Then the engines fired up and the rocket soared into Baikonur's clear skies on a column of flame.Then the engines fired up and the rocket soared into Baikonur's clear skies on a column of flame.
The former Army major is the first Briton to join the crew of the ISS and is employed by the European Space Agency (Esa). The former Army major is the first Briton to join the crew of the ISS and is employed by 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 - the Nasa astronauts Piers Sellers and Nicholas Patrick.
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."
Other Britons who have flown into space have done so either as private individuals - Richard Garriott and Mark Shuttleworth - or by taking US citizenship - the Nasa astronauts Piers Sellers and Nicholas Patrick.
Another British-born Nasa astronaut, Michael Foale, already had dual citizenship through his US mother.
Tim Peake in space: Want to know more?Tim Peake in space: Want to know more?
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