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ESA astronaut Tim Peake’s Principia mission starts in December. This blog will offer behind-the-scenes access to what is going on in space, at Columbus Control Centre ground control and the researchers working around Europe.
In the meantime head over the mission site at www.esa.int/Principia to read more and start following Tim via timpeake.esa.int
Discussion: 5 comments
Elliott, Karim & Dawid – Will you be hungry or bored on the ISS?
Daniel & Navtej – What experiments are you going to do on ISS?
Qutbuddien & Julia – How are you going to get to the ISS?
Areej & Arnav – How do you feel about going to space ? Are you nervous?
Aleesha & Ava – What does your spacesuit feel like to wear?
Jaiden, Miles & Maxim – Do you have to eat anything special in training?
Rakesh & Dorian – How long will it take to get to ISS?
Liba & Taliyah – Why did you want to go to space?
Tim replied via email:
Elliott, Karim & Dawid – Will you be hungry or bored on the ISS?
No! We are very busy with work and I can always observe the wonderful view of Earth if I have time. I am bringing some great food with me designed by Heston Blumenthal.
Daniel & Navtej – What experiments are you going to do on ISS?
Many experiments! I am especially impressed by the electromagnetic levitator that melts metals as they float in weightlessness and then cools them down for research. Also we will be growing protein crystals and even blood vessels on ISS.
Qutbuddien & Julia – How are you going to get to the ISS?
We take the Soyuz spacecraft from Baikonur in Kazakhstan.
Areej & Arnav – How do you feel about going to space ? Are you nervous?
Only nervous of not making it fit & healthy to launch day for any reason. Incredibly excited about going into space
Aleesha & Ava – What does your spacesuit feel like to wear?
Despite looking like a large suit (EMU) it’s actually a snug fit & hard to get into. Fingers take the most punishment during a 6hr run due to difficulty of working against pressure inside suit.
Jaiden, Miles & Maxim – Do you have to eat anything special in training?
No
Rakesh & Dorian – How long will it take to get to ISS?
It should take around six hours but sometimes the Space Station is harder to reach and the trip takes two days.
Liba & Taliyah – Why did you want to go to space?
It is an opportunity to use previous skills gained as a test pilot to work in this incredible international programme to use space for the benefit of people on earth.
How do you manage to catch up with the space station?
It is not easy! This video explains it well: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVvgpKt5uCA