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Tim Peake retires as astronaut to become ‘space ambassador’

Tim Peake - Dmitry Lovetsky/AP
Tim Peake - Dmitry Lovetsky/AP

Tim Peake has announced he will step down from the European Space Agency’s (ESA) astronaut corps, meaning he will no longer be considered for a mission to the Moon.

Major Peake, Britain’s first official astronaut, travelled to the International Space Station (ISS) in Dec 2015 and the ESA said they would be sending him into space for a second time.

There were even hopes he would be included in the Nasa and Esa’s Artemis project which is seeking to return humans to the Moon.

But on Friday, Major Peake announced he was retiring from the astronaut corps to become a “space ambassador”, working alongside the UK Space Agency to encourage more young people into the field.

“Being an ESA astronaut has been the most extraordinary experience,” he 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.”

Tim Peake in space - NASA/Reuters
Tim Peake in space - NASA/Reuters

Chichester-born Peake, who turned 50 last year, spent 18 years in the Army flying helicopters before becoming an astronaut.

He spent 186 days on the ISS, and became the first person to perform a spacewalk supporting the Union Jack.

Peake has since held several ESA positions, including head of astronaut operations, but has continually spoken about his hopes to return to space.

Speaking at the Blue Dot festival last summer, he said: “I’d love to do another spacewalk. It was absolutely fantastic. I would love to go to the Moon. I’d love to go outside of low Earth orbit.

“For me, the ideal mission would be on one of the Artemis missions which are returning to the Moon in the very near future.”

Tim Peake - European Space Agency/PA
Tim Peake - European Space Agency/PA

ESA announced its latest cohort of astronauts during the ESA Council of Ministers 2022 in Paris in November 2022, including Rosemary Coogan, John McFall, the world-first astronaut with a physical disability, and Meganne Christian, member of the ESA astronaut reserve.

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

“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.”