US astronaut Kjell Lindgren plays Amazing Grace on Scottish-made bagpipes on International Space Station

The astronaut played the song to honour colleague Victor Hurst, a research scientist who died suddenly

Nasa flight engineer Kjell Lindgren plays the bagpipes in space for the first time (YouTube)

A US astronaut has been filmed playing Amazing Grace on the bagpipes at the International Space Station, in honour of a close colleague who died suddenly.

Kjell Lindgen is seen punching the instrument’s bag before playing the song, ending his video with the words: “God bless you Victor.”

It is thought to be the first time the bagpipes have been played in space.

The instrument was made by McCallum Bagpipes in Ayrshire and are made of plastic which is “easier to keep clean and make sure they’re not contaminated,” Kenny Macleod, who works at the company, told the BBC.

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Nasa flight engineer Mr Lingren was playing tribute to research scientist and instructor Dr Victor Hurst, who had been involved in the astronaut training programme.

Dr Hurst died suddenly in October at the age of 48 and all six astronauts on the Space Station were “shocked and saddened” to hear the news.

"He always had a quick smile, a kind word. I don't know if anyone was more enthusiastic and professional about being involved in human space flight,” Mr Lindgren told the BBC.