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UK astronaut Tim Peake to go to International Space Station UK astronaut Tim Peake to go to International Space Station
(about 5 hours later)
The UK astronaut Tim Peake has been given a date to fly to the International Space Station (ISS).The UK astronaut Tim Peake has been given a date to fly to the International Space Station (ISS).
The European Space Agency (Esa) says it will release details of his mission on Monday. It will not be before 2015. The date of the mission is yet to be made public but it will not be before 2015. The European Space Agency (Esa) is to release the details on Monday.
Peake, who was a major and a helicopter pilot in the British Army Air Corps, has been in training for an expedition to the ISS since 2009.Peake, who was a major and a helicopter pilot in the British Army Air Corps, has been in training for an expedition to the ISS since 2009.
To get there, he will have to ride a Soyuz rocket from Baikonur in Kazakhstan. To get there, he will ride a Soyuz rocket from Baikonur in Kazakhstan.
Tasks once in orbit will include helping to maintain the 27,000km/h platform and carrying out science experiments in Esa's Columbus laboratory module, which is attached to the front of the 400-tonne complex.Tasks once in orbit will include helping to maintain the 27,000km/h platform and carrying out science experiments in Esa's Columbus laboratory module, which is attached to the front of the 400-tonne complex.
Forty-one-year-old Peake hails from Chichester, and is so far the only Briton ever to be accepted into the European Astronaut Corps.Forty-one-year-old Peake hails from Chichester, and is so far the only Briton ever to be accepted into the European Astronaut Corps.
His mission will make him the first UK national to live and work in space, and to fly the Union flag, on a British-government-funded programme (the UK is Esa's third largest contributor).His mission will make him the first UK national to live and work in space, and to fly the Union flag, on a British-government-funded programme (the UK is Esa's third largest contributor).
All previous UK-born astronauts that have gone into orbit have done so either through the US space agency (Nasa) as American citizens or on private ventures organised with the assistance of the Russian space agency.All previous UK-born astronauts that have gone into orbit have done so either through the US space agency (Nasa) as American citizens or on private ventures organised with the assistance of the Russian space agency.
"Major Tim" Peake has a degree in flight dynamics and is a qualified test pilot."Major Tim" Peake has a degree in flight dynamics and is a qualified test pilot.
When he was selected for astronaut training he was working with the Anglo-Italian helicopter company AgustaWestland.When he was selected for astronaut training he was working with the Anglo-Italian helicopter company AgustaWestland.
Helen Sharman was the first Briton to go into space in 1991 on Project Juno, a cooperative project between a number of UK companies and the Soviet government. She spent a week at the Mir space station.Helen Sharman was the first Briton to go into space in 1991 on Project Juno, a cooperative project between a number of UK companies and the Soviet government. She spent a week at the Mir space station.
The most experienced British-born astronaut is Nasa's Michael Foale. He has accumulated 374 days in orbit, completing long-duration missions to both the ISS and Mir.The most experienced British-born astronaut is Nasa's Michael Foale. He has accumulated 374 days in orbit, completing long-duration missions to both the ISS and Mir.
Major Tim's assignment is made as British space activity is experiencing a big renaissance.Major Tim's assignment is made as British space activity is experiencing a big renaissance.
The space industry in the UK is growing fast, employing tens of thousands of workers and contributing some £9bn in value to the national economy.The space industry in the UK is growing fast, employing tens of thousands of workers and contributing some £9bn in value to the national economy.
The government has also lifted substantially its subscription to Esa, and the agency has responded by opening its first technical base in the country.The government has also lifted substantially its subscription to Esa, and the agency has responded by opening its first technical base in the country.
Ecsat (European Centre for Space Applications and Telecoms) is sited on the Harwell science campus in Oxfordshire.Ecsat (European Centre for Space Applications and Telecoms) is sited on the Harwell science campus in Oxfordshire.
There is sure to be huge interest in Major Tim's adventure.There is sure to be huge interest in Major Tim's adventure.
The recently returned ISS commander, Canadian Chris Hadfield, attracted a big following for his tweets, videos and songs from the platform. His rendition of David Bowie's A Space Oddity has become a YouTube hit.The recently returned ISS commander, Canadian Chris Hadfield, attracted a big following for his tweets, videos and songs from the platform. His rendition of David Bowie's A Space Oddity has become a YouTube hit.
It would be hoped that Major Tim could achieve something of the same impact.It would be hoped that Major Tim could achieve something of the same impact.