Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Tim Peake live: Astronaut to be Britain's first on International Space Station

British astronaut Tim Peake has set off on his historic flight to the International Space Station today.

Tuesday 15 December 2015 10:19 GMT

Britain's astronaut Tim Peake during a sending-off ceremony at the Russian-leased Baikonur cosmodrome on December 15, 2015. (AFP/Getty Images)

Tim Peake is about to make history as the first British person on board the International Space Station.

The launch took place on Tuesday morning, shortly after 11am, with the rocket blasting off from Kazakhstan, at the Russia-operated Baikonur Cosmodrome.

Watch the historic launch below.

Major Peake is the first fully British astronaut.

Previous “Brits in space” have either had US or duel citizenship and worked for Nasa or been on privately funded or sponsored trips.

Major Peake is employed by the European Space Agency (ESA) and will be sporting the Union flag on his sleeve.

He will be on the ISS for six months and will partake in a variety of experiments - including a system designed to check for problems suffered by astronauts’ increased brain pressure during space missions.

In pictures: Tim Peake goes into space

Show all 12

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

Dr Robert Marchbanks has developed the device at the Hampshire hospital known as the cerebral and cochlear fluid pressure analyser.

It can detect life-threatening head injuries and infections without the need for surgery or painful spinal procedures and is currently part of a major study which could see it rolled out across the NHS.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies