Tim Peake: Rockets fire to bring British astronaut back to Earth – live stream

Soyuz capsule completes 'deorbit burn' to set the spacecraft on track for re-entry into Earth's atmosphere

Saturday 18 June 2016 10:36 BST

Tim Peake's mission comes to an end after six months in space (Getty)

After six months in orbit, British astronaut Tim Peake has returned to Earth.

The Soyuz capsule carrying the former helicopter test pilot and two other crew members was undocked from the International Space Station (ISS), and landed on the Kazakhstan steppe at around 10.15 BST on Saturday.

One Nasa astronaut, Doug Wheelock, has described the experience of a Soyuz descent as “like going over Niagara falls in a barrel, but the barrel is on fire”.

Major Peake became the second astronaut to go into space bearing the British flag, after Helen Sharman in 1991. During his time in space he has taken part in hundreds of experiments, performed a spacewalk and run the London Marathon on a treadmill

Upon arrival at the space station in December 2015, Major Peake’s first meal was a bacon sandwich and a cup of tea.

Speaking before his departure in his last live link-up from the ISS, Major Peake said: “It's been a fantastic six months up here - [a] really remarkable, incredible experience.

”I'm looking forward to coming home, looking forward to seeing my friends and my family, but I am going to miss this place.“

During his six month stay on the space station, he was also awarded an honour by the Queen for “extraordinary services beyond our planet”.

Major Peake was travelling back to earth with Nasa astronaut Tim Kopra and Yuri Malenchko, a Russian cosmonaut.

In preparation for undocking, the crew donned their Sokul space suits, took their positions in the module, and carried out final air leak and communication tests. Major Peake was strapped in the right seat.

After separation, two burns from the Soyuz rocket engine moved the craft to a safe place from which to begin the no-turning-back descent into the Earth's atmosphere.

ISS: Expedition 47 crew undock from space station on homecoming trip to Earth

The Soyuz spacecraft completed a “deorbit burn” by firing its rocket engine for four minutes and 37 seconds to start the journey back to Earth.

Next, at an altitude of 87 miles, explosive bolts fired, splitting the Soyuz into three parts.

In pictures: Tim Peake goes into space

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1/12In pictures: Tim Peake goes into space

In pictures: Tim Peake goes into space

Major Tim Peake blasting off into orbit on board the Soyuz space capsule on his way to becoming the first British astronaut to join the crew of the International Space Station (ISS)

PA

In pictures: Tim Peake goes into space

Major Tim Peake (left) blasting off into orbit on board the Soyuz space capsule on his way to becoming the first British astronaut to join the crew of the International Space Station (ISS)

PA

In pictures: Tim Peake goes into space

Photographers take pictures as Russia's Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft carrying the International Space Station (ISS) Expedition 46/47 crew of Britain's astronaut Tim Peake, Russian cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko and US astronaut Tim Kopra blasts off from the launch pad at Russian-leased Baikonur cosmodrome

AFP

In pictures: Tim Peake goes into space

Expedition 46-47 crewmembers ESA astronaut Tim Peake, NASA astronaut Tim Kopra and commander Yuri Malenchenko launch into space from Baikonur cosmodrome in Baikonur, Kazakhstan

Getty Images

In pictures: Tim Peake goes into space

The Russian rocket launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan in front of the world's media following weeks of preparation

PA

In pictures: Tim Peake goes into space

The Russian rocket minutes before launch

In pictures: Tim Peake goes into space

Tim Peake, member of the main crew of the expedition to the International Space Station (ISS), waves to his children from a bus prior the launch of Soyuz TMA-19M space ship at the Russian leased Baikonur cosmodrome, Kazakhstan

In pictures: Tim Peake goes into space

US astronaut Tim Kopra waves as he boards the Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft at the Russian-leased Baikonur cosmodrome, prior to blasting off to the International Space Station (ISS)

Getty Images

In pictures: Tim Peake goes into space

Britain's astronaut Tim Peake (bottom), Russian cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko (top) and US astronaut Tim Kopra board the Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft at the Russian-leased Baikonur cosmodrome, prior to blasting off to the International Space Station (ISS)

Getty Images

In pictures: Tim Peake goes into space

British astronaut Tim Peake, member of the main crew to the International Space Station (ISS), during inspecting his space suit prior the launch of Soyuz-FG rocket at the Russian leased Baikonur cosmodrome, Kazakhstan

AP

In pictures: Tim Peake goes into space

British astronaut Tim Peake, left, Russian cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko, center, and U.S. astronaut Tim Kopra, members of the main crew of the expedition to the International Space Station (ISS), walk to report to members of the State Committee prior to the launch of Soyuz TMA-19M space ship at the Russian leased Baikonur cosmodrome, Kazakhstan

AP

In pictures: Tim Peake goes into space

From left, British astronaut Tim Peake, Russian cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko and U.S. astronaut Tim Kopra, members of the main crew to the International Space Station (ISS), wave to their relatives near a bus prior the launch of Soyuz-FG rocket at the Russian leased Baikonur cosmodrome, Kazakhstan

AP

Fifteen minutes before landing, four parachutes were to be deployed in succession. One second before touchdown, retro rockets were due to fire, with the spacecraft expected to have hit the ground at 3mph.

Recovery crews will rapidly arrive at the site to help the space travellers out of their capsule and take them for medical checks.

They will be helicoptered to Karaganda airport, where according to tradition they will be offered bread and salt and a traditional Kazak hat.

Major Peake will then be flown to the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany, while his American and Russian colleagues go their separate ways to Houston and Star City, near Moscow.

Press Association contributed to this report

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