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Tim Peake arrives at International Space Station Tim Peake arrives at International Space Station
(35 minutes later)
The Soyuz space capsule carrying UK astronaut Tim Peake to the International Space Station has arrived at its destination.The Soyuz space capsule carrying UK astronaut Tim Peake to the International Space Station has arrived at its destination.
"Major Tim", and fellow crew members Russian Yuri Malenchenko and American Tim Kopra, docked with the ISS high above the Earth."Major Tim", and fellow crew members Russian Yuri Malenchenko and American Tim Kopra, docked with the ISS high above the Earth.
The crew controlled the approach manually, after retreating slightly from the space station. The crew controlled the approach manually, after automatic docking was stopped.
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.
He was waved off by his wife and two sons at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan earlier on Tuesday.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.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
The seven Britons who have been to spaceThe seven Britons who have been to space
Tim Peake: Space launch in picturesTim Peake: Space launch in pictures
There were no reported problems during the blast-off.There were no reported problems during the blast-off.
However, docking with the space station is regarded as one of the most difficult stages of the journey. However, docking with the space station - which is regarded as one of the most difficult stages of the journey - did not go entirely to plan.
The docking happened about 10 minutes after its scheduled time of 17:23 GMT.
At the scene: Paul Rincon, Science editor, BBC News online
It's a rare event for the Soyuz crew to have to manually dock the spacecraft at the space station.
The Kurs radar system that failed is one of the two main ways controllers have of determining where the Soyuz is relative to the space station.
The other is measurements taken from the ground.
The immense skill required to manually dock the capsule in open space is exactly why Tim and the other crew members undergo such rigorous training for a range of different failure scenarios.
Speaking before the launch, Mr Peake said: "Any time two vehicles come in close proximity in space is hazardous.Speaking before the launch, Mr Peake said: "Any time two vehicles come in close proximity in space is hazardous.
"The docking needs to be closely monitored and you have to make sure you're on target and on speed.""The docking needs to be closely monitored and you have to make sure you're on target and on speed."
Into orbitInto orbit
It takes four orbits of Earth and about six hours to reach the ISS.It takes four orbits of Earth and about six hours to reach the ISS.
During the final approach, a docking probe on the end of the Soyuz is "captured" by the ISS, bringing the two vehicles together. Having arrived safely, the team will have to wait around two hours before they can leave the capsule to allow safety checks and air pressure to be equalised.
Once a tight seal is made and air pressures are made equal, the hatch can be opened, allowing the new arrivals to go inside - a process that takes several hours.
The capsule will remain attached to serve as an escape vehicle if the ISS has to be evacuated in an emergency.The capsule will remain attached to serve as an escape vehicle if the ISS has to be evacuated in an emergency.
Once on board the ISS, the crew will work, sleep and exercise in a dozen modules, together about the same volume as two Boeing 747s.Once on board the ISS, the crew will work, sleep and exercise in a dozen modules, together about the same volume as two Boeing 747s.
The three crew members will join the existing taskforce on board the ISS - Nasa astronaut Scott Kelly and Russian cosmonauts Mikhail Kornienko and Sergey Volkov.The three crew members will join the existing taskforce on board the ISS - Nasa astronaut Scott Kelly and Russian cosmonauts Mikhail Kornienko and Sergey Volkov.
Mr Kelly and Mr Kornienko are approaching the ninth month of their one-year ISS mission.Mr Kelly and Mr Kornienko are approaching the ninth month of their one-year ISS mission.
A maximum of 10 crew members can live on the station.A maximum of 10 crew members can live on the station.
Emotional farewellEmotional farewell
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.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.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
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