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Astronaut Tim Peake announces retirement ahead of taking up new role

Major Tim Peake is retiring as an astronaut
Major Tim Peake is retiring as an astronaut

Astronaut Tim Peake has announced his retirement from space travel with the European Space Agency.

Major Peake, from Chichester, became the first British astronaut to visit the International Space Station with the ESA in 2015.

Now, he will take up a full-time role as an ambassador for the agency, something he previously did part-time.

Major Peake said: “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.”

Major Peake was first selected to be an ESA astronaut in 2009 and became the second British citizen to fly to space.

His time in space included a spacewalk to repair the space station’s power supply and participating in more than 250 scientific experiments.

He also broke world records by becoming the first man to complete a marathon in space, finishing in three hours, 35 minutes and 21 seconds.

Major Peake’s ambassadorial role will aim to encourage young people to pursue careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects.

Dr Paul Bate, chief executive of the UK Space Agency, paid tribute, saying: “Tim Peake is an incredible ambassador for the UK space sector and has played a leading role over the past decade.

The Argus: A portrait of Major Tim Peake
The Argus: A portrait of Major Tim Peake

A portrait of Major Tim Peake

“Not only has he carried out important scientific work, during his historic Principia mission to the International Space Station and while on Earth, but he has inspired millions with his passion for space and the opportunities it offers.

“Tim has played a huge role in promoting Stem education and space careers, and has shone a light on the hundreds of roles involved in getting an astronaut into space, and across the wider space sector.”

The news comes after Rosemary Coogan, a doctoral researcher at the University of Sussex, was recently announced as an ESA astronaut.

Ms Coogan is set to begin astronaut training in April.