UK's star of space Major Tim Peake retires as European Space Agency astronaut
Astronaut Major Tim Peake has retired from the job – but hasn't ruled out another trip into space.
Major Tim, who is the UK's first "official" astronaut and only the seventh Brit ever to venture into space, announced he would be hanging up his space suit in a bid to take on full-tome ambassador work for the industry.
In his announcement on Friday, Major Tim said: "Being an ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut has been the most extraordinary experience.
"I have had the privilege of working with an exceptional team of dedicated individuals during the past 13 years with the agency, which has been incredibly exciting and rewarding.
"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."
Boy, 10, saw neighbours swept to deaths in UK's worst storm that killed hundreds
Major Tim says he will become a full-time ambassador for all things space and science (PA)Sharing the news on Twitter, he added that a return to space wasn't off the cards.
"I’ve always believed in moving forward & embracing new challenges, even if you don’t know what’s round the corner – it keeps things interesting," he said.
"My years with ESA have been a fantastic phase of my life and I look forward to remaining part of the ESA family as an ambassador.
"Space is such an exciting & dynamic sector to work in, now more so than ever. It's a privilege to work with talented people who are so passionate about what they do.
"And as for getting back to space again - never say never!"
Major Tim Peake spent six months aboard the ISS (rhodes media)The astronaut and Army veteran rocketed to fame in 2015 when he voyaged to the International Space Station in the Soyuz TMA 17M after being selected by the European Space Agency (ESA) six years earlier.
During his six month tour, he became the first Brit to carry out a spacewalk from the ISS after joining two American colleagues.
Since returning to Earth, Major Tim has held various roles in the ESA and written several books on his experience and about the Universe.
Major Tim Peake pictured on his landing back on Earth in Kazakhstan in 2016 (PA)ESA announced in November last year that it had selected three other Brits for possible candidates as future astronauts.
Rosemary Coogan is set to begin training in April, while Paralympian John McFall is currently undergoing medical assessments to check if he would be fit for voyage.
Taxpayers pay millions on hotels for defence chiefs as troops live in squalor
If successful, he could become the first disabled person in space.
Meganne Christian meanwhile is currently a reserve astronaut, and will join the corps if another drops out.
ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher said: "Tim has been a role model for kids, aspiring youngsters and young professionals alike, inspiring millions of them and at the same time being an excellent ambassador for the whole of ESA, its values and its ambition – I would like to thank Tim most sincerely and am looking forward to his continued involvement with the Agency.”
Major Tim Peake (second left) with crew members Russian commander Yuri Malenchenko (front centre) and US astronaut Tim Kopra (right) after landing at the ISS (PA)During his six-month voyage to the ISS, Major Tim accomplished a number of achievements alongside his space walk, including remotely controlling a rover on Earth whilst in orbit and even running the London Marathon in April 2016 from a treadmill aboard the station.
He was preceded by six other British-born astronauts to venture into space, the first being Helen Sharman who joined Russian astronauts to the Mir space station in 1991 as part of a private voyage.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
