British astronaut calls time on space

British astronaut Major Tim Peake is retiring from his role as a European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut.

Maj Peake will take on the role of an ambassador for the agency, with the aim of helping young people to pursue careers in Stem (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).

He was selected as an ESA astronaut in May 2009 and became the first British ESA astronaut to visit the International Space Station in December 2015.

He is also the second British citizen to fly to space after Helen Sharman, who travelled as part of

Project Juno – a private British space programme.

Maj Peake, who has been on sabbatical since October 2019, said: “I have had the privilege of working with an exceptional team of dedicated individuals during the past 13 years.

“By assuming the role of an ambassador for human spaceflight, I shall continue to support ESA and the UK Space Agency, with a focus on educational outreach, and I look forward to the many exciting opportunities ahead.”

After training as an astronaut, the former British Army Air Corps helicopter pilot spent six months in space as part of the Principia mission.

It included a spacewalk to repair the space station’s power supply and participating in more than 250 scientific experiments.

He also broke world records by becoming the first man to complete a marathon in space.

He finished in three hours, 35 minutes and 21 seconds.

During his time in space, Maj Peake engaged more than two million children across Europe in over 30 projects.

Dr Paul Bate, chief executive of the UK Space Agency, said: “Tim Peake is an incredible ambassador for the UK space sector and has played a leading role over the past decade.

“Not only has he carried out important scientific work, during his historic Principia mission to the International Space Station and while on Earth, but he has inspired millions with his passion for space.

“Tim has played a huge role in promoting Stem education and space careers, and has shone a light on the hundreds of roles involved in getting an astronaut into space, and across the space sector.”

The announcement comes after the ESA unveiled its astronaut candidates last year, including three Britons – Rosemary Coogan, John McFall and Meganne Christian.

Being the first Briton to walk in space is quite enough to inspire a generation of would-be scientists and astronauts.

Tim Peake has worked tirelessly though even after coming back down to Earth to get children excited about STEM subjects.

Some of those will grow up into the experts we need to make a success of our region’s space industry ambitions.

So we salute his contribution as he hangs up his astronaut suit.

AMBASSADOR: ESA astronaut Major Tim Peake.