Tim Peake, the former UK astronaut and the country’s second-ever astronaut, is considering joining Axiom Space for an International Space Station (ISS) mission in 2025. Peake recently appeared on Sky News’ FYI children’s news show to discuss the upcoming all-UK mission to space, which is scheduled for next year and will feature an all-UK crew. During the interview, Peake expressed his desire to return to space and hinted at the possibility of leading the mission.
Peake’s previous space mission took place in January 2016 when he reached the ISS and became the first UK citizen to conduct an extra-vehicular activity (EVA). He even made history by running the London marathon in orbit using a treadmill. After retiring as an ESA astronaut in January 2023, Peake took up a space ambassadorship on behalf of both ESA and the UK Space Agency. However, in October 2023, the UK Space Agency announced the launch of an all-British crewed mission, leading to speculation about Peake’s potential return to space.
Axiom Space, the company involved in the mission, expressed its excitement about collaborating with the UK Space Agency. They stated their intention to work together to build a comprehensive mission plan that aligns with the UK’s national and agency objectives to advance its capabilities in space exploration and discovery. Although Axiom Space did not confirm Peake’s involvement at the time, Peake himself revealed on FYI that there would be an announcement regarding the crew in June 2024.
Peake’s departure from the astronaut corps allowed him to focus on STEM education and inspiring children to pursue careers in space. The specific experiments to be conducted during the upcoming mission are currently unknown, but there has been a consistent emphasis on STEM education and sparking interest in space. This is crucial for the UK, as it requires more specialists in the space industry to support its growing space economy.
George Freeman, the former Minister of State at the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology, expressed his excitement about the potential of the UK mission with Axiom Space. He believes that it has the power to inspire a new generation to reach for the stars while contributing to the development of one of the most innovative and attractive space economies in the world.
In conclusion, Tim Peake’s potential involvement in Axiom Space’s ISS mission in 2025 has generated significant interest and excitement. As the UK’s second-ever astronaut and a strong advocate for STEM education, Peake’s return to space would not only be a personal achievement but also an opportunity to ignite imaginations and inspire future generations to pursue careers in the space industry. The collaboration between Axiom Space and the UK Space Agency holds promise for advancing the UK’s capabilities in space exploration and discovery, contributing to the growth of its space economy.
