Tim Peake boards International Space Station and reports on ‘beautiful launch’
by Ian Sample Science editor from on (#XTBB)
Six-month mission begins with wobble as docking system malfunctions but British astronaut arrives safely at ISS after 'absolutely spectacular' sunrise
It seemed like an eternity, but finally the hatch opened. Moments before 8pm GMT on Tuesday, Tim Peake, the European Space Agency's first British astronaut, stepped out of the Soyuz capsule and aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
"It was a beautiful launch," he said, grinning broadly, despite the ordeal of being squashed inside the Russian capsule for more than 10 hours, and a tense last-minute drama on reaching the station that will be his home for the next six months. "I hope you enjoyed the show."
