Our first Astronaut Major Tim Peake

Like you Tanith I am finding this really fascinating and hope all goes well on Tuesday. Brian Cox has a live programme on Tuesday which I intend to watch. I believe that each country contributes to the costs through their space programme. As you say it would be amazing if countries could always cooperate in this way.

I didn't know about the live program Lapwing thank you for that I'll look out for it.

Think it is on BBC1, cannot check for sure as OH seems to have a death grip on the remote at present.

He isn't actually the first British astronaut. The first was Dr Helen Sharman who spent eight days in the Russian Mir Space Station in 1991. www.theguardian.com/science/2015/nov/29/helen-sharman-tim-peake-space-flight. She's been interviewed quite a lot recently.

I stand corrected Lilygran

The Royal Institution Christmas Lectures this year are How to Survive in Space by Dr Kevin Fong. There will be input from space. In the third one on 22nd December it is planned that Tim Peake will actually answer questions from the children in the audience.
They will be streamed and also on BBC4 28th, 29th, 30th at 8pm. There will be some excited GC!

Lilygran DH shouts Helen Sharman at the TV every time they say Tim Peake will be the first
He comes across as such a lovely man. I hope he does well and comes home safe to his family along with the other astronauts.

Tanith - the Stargazing Live programme is on BBC 2 @ 7.00 pm on Tuesday.

I enjoyed the programme on Tim Peake he certainly is a very brave man. The programme made me feel quite claustrophobic. I've never really been interested in the space programme but Tim seems like a man worth following- gorgeous little boys he has.

He is apparently the first 'official' Briton in space i.e. funded by the Government/UK space programme.

Helen Sharman went on a privately-sponsored mission - still the first Brit in space though!

Thanks Lapwing I shall also watch the launch at 11:03 AM tomorrow. I now remember seeing Helen Sharman going up I don't remember anything about the mission though if I'm honest thanks for the info Riverwalk.

I can't imagine how I'd feel if they sent me up in a spaceship; I get a panic attack at the thought of it..I'm not even happy about using lifts to go upwards .

tanith she used to work at the Mars factory in Slough!

She's a chemist and worked on developing the Mars ice-cream bar. I can't understand this 'first official' business! I believe a number of business people were invited by the UK government to pay for Helen Sharman's space journey because we didn't have a space programme - or we didn't want to 'officially' depend on a Russian project. I imagine the reason why Helen's mission is being played down is that astronaut/cosmonaut tradition now requires that the new participant pees on the wheel of the bus taking him to the rocket. Yuri Gagarin started the tradition but I expect Helen gave it a miss and so disqualified herself from the roll of honour!

Tim is due back on earth tomorrow, Saturday 18 June at 10.15am GMT. I am thinking of his wife, children and parents and all his family as he has to go through the most dangerous part of the entire mission. They must be at least a bit apprehensive.

He was brought up in the next village to us, where his parents AND my DD and her family live. He went to the village school and all the school children have become huge fans and have followed his great adventure with massive interest. He has promised to come and tell them all about it so excitement levels will already be high and building!

Apparently he has missed the rain and curry most and is looking forward to both.

Thanks for the bump of the thread Gagagran I'll be watching unless OH drags me to Tesco early..

He's on his way back now. The Soyuz space module separated from the space station at about 7am and the three astronauts including Major Tim Peake are on course to land in Kazakhstan at about 10.15am this morning.

What an adventure and how proud his children will be saying "My Dad's a spaceman!"

What a great experience this has been for him, and us, because we have all been able to share thanks to the wonders of whatever it is that has made it all happen. He himself always looks as if it is a great adventure which of course it is, but he seems like a schoolboy with his enthusiasm. Hope for a soft, safe landing, and a happy reunion with his family.

Helen Sharman has been on the news being interviewed about what Tim will experience on his journey back to Earth.

Best wishes to Tim and the rest of the crew, don't think I can watch!

I would be so scared if I were any member of his family. It amazes me that the journey only takes 3 hours.
I was also very surprised that his rehabilitation could take as long as 3 years ( that is worst case) as health issues need to be overcome after so long in zero gravity. I had not considered this aspect before.
A very brave man.

Tim is in transit as we speak due to land at 10.15 am I think - safe journey space man!!

Years ago my son went on a two week Space Camp at some university, sorry can't remember the name, and met Helen Sharman, according to him, at aged 9 she was amazing!!!

Full of admiration having once felt very sick on the Waltzer at a fairground! That re entry was pretty hair raising, I was glued to my bed this morning! And he was carried off all sweaty and simply said it was the best thrill ride ever. Boys eh! Great example for our children to get all interested in science. Great comment by the BBC newsreader when Tim said he wanted to feel some rain on his face. He said 'Well he'll be back in the UK soon, so that can be arranged'! Ha! Said to OH this morning, making him grin, I would ask for my first meal to be a 'cup of tea and a runny egg'! Well, doubt you can have a runny egg in space! Did you see the ground staff trying to turn the Soyuz landing pod over! Haven't they got a machine to do that! Yet again I am amazed at what we can and can't do!

Actually got excited watching the landing - very pleased to see them all back safe. DD has been doing some work on plants grown from seeds he sent back.