Not-so-final frontier: Astronaut Tim Peake to return to space
UK's first official astronaut says he 'misses the view of planet Earth'
British astronaut Tim Peake plans to return to space, saying he "misses" the view of planet Earth from the International Space Station (ISS).
In a surprise announcement today, Peake said he and his colleagues are to make a second trip to the ISS.
He said: "It's what every astronaut wants to do. It is only natural to want to return.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"The one thing you miss is the view of planet Earth, of course. It is the most spectacular thing you can possibly see. But also being involved in the space programme is hugely rewarding."
Peake made his announcement during a visit to the Science Museum in London today to unveil the spacecraft that transported him back home last June, following his six-month stint on the ISS.
Russia's Soyuz capsule is the first manned spacecraft to feature in the museum collection and still bears the scorch marks from its re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere.
Business Secretary Greg Clark, who was at the ceremony, said: "The space sector is an important and growing part of the UK space agency."
Sussex-born Peake served in the army for 17 years, where he qualified as a helicopter pilot and left as a major in 2009. He gained international fame when he was chosen for the space mission and became the UK's first official astronaut.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
DOJ settles with Nassar victims for $138M
Speed Read The settlement includes 139 sexual abuse victims of the former USA Gymnastics doctor
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
14 recent scientific breakthroughs
In Depth From photos of the infant universe to an energy advancement that could save the planet
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Who will win the 2024 presidential election?
In Depth Election year is here. Who are pollsters and experts predicting to win the White House?
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
14 recent scientific breakthroughs
In Depth From photos of the infant universe to an energy advancement that could save the planet
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
The hunt for Planet Nine
Under The Radar Researchers seeking the elusive Earth-like planet beyond Neptune are narrowing down their search
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Winchcombe meteorite: space rock may reveal how water came to Earth
The Explainer New analysis of its violent journey confirms scientific theories on the origin of our planet's H2O
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Why the Moon is getting a new time zone
The Explainer The creation of 'coordinated lunar time' is part of Nasa's mission to establish a long-term presence on Earth's only natural satellite
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
We're in the golden age of space exploration
In depth To infinity and beyond!
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
All the major moon landings so far
The Explainer One giant leap for mankind
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Jupiter's Europa has less oxygen than hoped
speed read Scientists say this makes it less likely that Jupiter's moon harbors life
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Magnolias in space': why scientists have created the world's first wooden satellite
Under The Radar New Japanese probe could help tackle 'graveyard of space junk' encircling Earth
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published