It is the UK’s astronaut Tim Peake’s last visit before his flight to the International Space Station, (ISS), on 15thDecember 2015.. National celebrations will be held. Peake hopes that his mission will inspire young Brits to pursue space exploration in an Apollo-like manner. He was a British Army helicopter pilot and is now an astronaut for the British European Space Agency. Before he departs for Russia’s Baikonur, Kazakhstan cosmodrome, he will board Soyuz TMA M. This will allow him to join a NASA astronaut and a Russian astronaut to the International Space Station. There are four events taking place in Britain’s capitals. The UK Space Agency reports that it will hold four major launch-day events in London and Edinburgh. It also plans to host 16 smaller events across science centers throughout the country. Tim Peake is hoping that his account of the events and activities on ISS and other details will encourage young people to pursue engineering, science, and space travel. Image: principia.org.uk Jo Johnson, the Minister for Universities and Science made the announcement during the final pre-flight press conference. Over 10,000 people, thanks to the celebratory launch events, will have the chance to participate in a variety of science and outreach activities, and will air live footage of Mr. Peake’s launch and docking. Many other Brits won’t have the opportunity to go along, but they can organize an event using the events kit provided by UK Space Agency. Or you can watch the launch live via ESA TV. Encourage interest in STEM subjects. The launch celebrations will be part of the PS3 million program of outreach and educational activities run by UK Space Agency. They are designed to harness the inspiring power of British astronauts’ mission and bring the excitement of space into classrooms across the country. STEM is Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Jo Johnson stated during the press conference that “Tim Peake’s launch in December is a historic moment in space for the UK and marks the culmination our partnership with International Space Station.” “Our PS millions investment in International Space Station programme supports pioneering science and will inspire Britain’s next generation scientists and engineers to push boundaries here on Earth.” However, these times could change. Image: UK Space Agency Events Pack. Tim Peake said: “I feel honored to be part in this amazing adventure in international cooperation. Many people made this possible, and I learned that during my recent training. While my work is very visible, I want to give a special thanks to my colleagues for making this possible. “These new friends are in the European Space Agency Member States as well as Canada, Japan and Russia. “I feel like a part of a large family, working towards science and new technology, as well as for education for our young generation.” Tim Peake will remain aboard the International Space Station from December . Image: Wikipedia. Liftoff on 15th Dec. A Soyuz spacecraft is scheduled to lift off from Baikonur, Kazakhstan on 15th Dezember. 2015, GMT. Separation from Soyuz will be at 11: GMT. The launch of the spacecraft is scheduled for 16: GMT. After that, hatch opening will take place at 18: 33 GMT. After Mr Peake and Russian cosmonaut Yuri Malnchenko have docked with ISS they’ll need to inspect their systems and get ready for the hatch opening. Before hatch opening can take place, the vestibule connecting the Soyuz hatch to the ISS needs to be pressurized. The hatches will be opened and the crew will get to know Scott Kelly, Mikhail Kornienko, and Sergey Volkov, a Russian cosmonaut. The new crew will get to know the equipment, including pressure gauges and fire extinguishers. At Russia’s Baikonur, cosmodrome (Kazakhstan), a Soyuz rocket lifted off. Later in the day, they will assemble at the Zvezda (“Service Module”) for a family conference at 38 GMT. New crew members can speak with their loved ones and friends back home at the launch site. The broadcast will take place live. On his first day, Mr. Peake might also take part in a variety of activities. This includes the European Space Agency’s experiment “Space Headaches”, which requires him to complete a questionnaire every week. The crew will bid farewell to mission control at the end of the first day and settle in to their new homes. Day 2 will see Mr. Peake get back to work. The crew will spend the first two weeks of their stay on the ISS getting used to working and living in microgravity (weightlessness). The science begins on day one. Video: Tim Peake speaks about space in this Science Museum video. Tim Peake shares his early memories looking up at stars, and how he became interested in space travel.
UK’s astronaut Tim Peake makes his last trip to UK
