The Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome on 15 December 2015, carrying Timothy Peake to the International Space Station for Expeditions 46 and 47. This mission marked a departure from previous spaceflight involvement by British nationals, as Peake became the first to travel into orbit without a private contract or the possession of foreign citizenship.
Military and Aeronautical Foundations
Born in Chichester in 1972, Peake attended Chichester High School for Boys before entering the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 1990. Commissioned into the Army Air Corps in 1992, he qualified as a helicopter pilot in 1994 and later became an instructor in 1998. His military trajectory included service as a platoon commander and a promotion to major in 2004. After graduating from the Empire Test Pilots' School, he conducted trials on Apache helicopters at MOD Boscombe Down. He accumulated over 3,000 flying hours before transitioning to a test pilot role at AgustaWestland in 2009.
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Peake was selected for the European Space Agency astronaut corps in 2009, overcoming a rigorous recruitment process that screened more than 8,000 applicants. His preparation for orbital flight involved diverse environments, including an ESA CAVES mission in Sardinia during 2011 to simulate isolation and confinement. In 2012, he served as an aquanaut during the NEEMO 16 undersea exploration mission, residing in the Aquarius laboratory for over 24 hours to gain experience in extreme survival conditions.
Operations Aboard the International Space Station
During his mission, Peake participated in the first spacewalk outside the ISS conducted by an individual born in the UK, focusing on replacing a sequential shunt unit on solar arrays. He also engaged in public-facing activities, such as completing the 2016 London Marathon from an onboard treadmill. His mission concluded on 18 June 2016, following approximately 3,000 Earth orbits and a journey totaling 125 million kilometres. He landed on the Kazakh steppe, nearly 480 kilometres southwest of Karaganda.
Public Recognition and Advocacy
Peake received the Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George in 2016 for his contributions to scientific education and space research. The Chichester City Council also voted to confer the Freedom of the City upon him. Beyond his technical service, he has been a vocal supporter of initiatives to nominate the International Space Station partnership for the Nobel Peace Prize, citing its capacity for international collaboration despite global budgetary constraints.
Fast facts
- Born: 1972, Chichester
- Military Rank: Major
- Education: University of Portsmouth
- Selection: European Space Agency astronaut corps, 2009
- Expedition: ISS Expeditions 46 and 47
- Mission Launch Date: 15 December 2015
- Award: Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George, 2016
- Retirement from active service: 2023
Questions readers ask
Was Timothy Peake the first person from his country in space?
He was the first European Space Agency astronaut from his country and the seventh person born there to visit the International Space Station.
What specific roles did he hold in the military?
He served as a flight instructor, test pilot, helicopter pilot, and officer in the Army Air Corps.
Achievements
- Affiliated with European Space Agency and AgustaWestland
- Educated at University of Portsmouth, Chichester High School For Boys and Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
- Worked as test pilot, astronaut and helicopter pilot
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