Two weeks in space for Tim Peake

Credits: ESA/NASA

After intense preparations for the three-hour spacewalk by Tim Kopra and Scott Kelly on Monday 21 December, Tim Peake could finally start to settle into his home in the stars from Tuesday.

Progress 62P docked with Space Station. Credits: ESA/NASA

Each day starts and ends with a daily planning conference with mission control. Tuesday was spent debriefing the spacewalk and exercising. Tim also performed some ultrasound and, yes, it has to be done, Tim was tasked with transferring the Station’s collected urine.

On Wednesday a new cargo ship arrived, the Progress 62p while Tim was collecting more baseline samples of his body for scientists. In the evening Tim had an eye exam and spent time on the Station’s exercise bike.

Thursday had Tim collect samples, including urine, that is stored in the Station’s –80°C freezer, blood that was put in the Station’s centrifuge and another ultrasound. Many of these samples are used for multiple experiments and are stored to mark Tim’s immediate reaction to spaceflight. The afternoon was spent working on the Space Station’s recycling system.

Tim’s Christmas stockings in space. Credits: ESA/NASA

Friday, Christmas day, was Tim’s first real day off. The whole Space Station crew is allowed more free time and the day is typically spent with a festive meal altogether. Exercise is still mandatory however and Tim had an hour run scheduled and an hour in the Station’s gym.

Saturday is cleaning day as usual on the Space Station with Tim also finding time to work on the Fine Motor Skills experiment for NASA. Over the weekend Tim will have a private talk with his family as well.

Monday starts the beginning of many experiments including on the skin, eyes and memory. In addition Tim will review and test some spacewalk procedures and familiarise himself with emergency hardware.