Watch and Learn - Astronaut Tim Peake urges the US and China not to engage in a space race

Click on a word or part of a phrase to learn more.

Scroll through the captions and click to skip to a caption.

Reproducir video para comenzar

the maximum thrust liftoff.

the maximum thrust liftoff

And

>> there we can see Tim Peak from the

European Space Agency, the first British

European Space Agency the first British

astronaut now on board the International

Space Station.

Space Station

>> So Tim, welcome. Thank you for joining

>> So Tim welcome Thank you for joining

us. 10 years since you went to space. It

us 10 years since you went to space It

seems incredible that that has passed so

quickly.

quickly

>> It does. It seems just like yesterday.

>> It does It seems just like yesterday

Um but uh it was an incredible moment in

my life and one that I often reflect

back to.

back to

>> Yeah. A whole chapter. And of course

>> Yeah A whole chapter And of course

when you were living on board the ISS,

when you were living on board the ISS

you were seeing 16 sunrises, 16 sunsets

you were seeing 16 sunrises 16 sunsets

a day. Does your perception of time

a day Does your perception of time

change with that?

change with that

>> It does. Um your perception of time

>> It does Um your perception of time

changes, your perspective of of planet

changes your perspective of of planet

Earth changes, and the longer you're up

Earth changes and the longer you're up

there, the more it it changes. Is

there the more it it changes Is

actually a very um serene and tranquil

place to work. We're very very busy on

place to work We're very very busy on

the space station, but actually being in

the space station but actually being in

orbit looking down on the planet is an

incredible environment to work in.

incredible environment to work in

>> Life-changing for sure. Take me back to

>> Life-changing for sure Take me back to

that day that you woke up in Bikonor,

that day that you woke up in Bikonor

that rather strange uh town on the edge

of the the old Soviet cosmo uh in

Kazakhstan uh which of course they they

rented from the Kazaks and that's where

they they built the whole space program

uh from for the Soviets and and then the

Russians of course and that is where you

launched from but it it is built in

steeped in in rituals and superstitions

the whole program isn't it? It is

the whole program isn't it It is

steeped in in history, tradition,

steeped in in history tradition

superstition. Um, we actually launch

superstition Um we actually launch

from the same launch pad that Ura

Gagarin first set off from um on the

12th of April 1961. And and on launch

12th of April 1961 And and on launch

day, everything runs to a strict

day everything runs to a strict

schedule with plenty of time built in

for buffers. But you do go through those

for buffers But you do go through those

rituals, the the blessing by the Russian

rituals the the blessing by the Russian

Orthodox priest, the signing of the

Orthodox priest the signing of the

cosmonaut's door, walking out to to

cosmonaut's door walking out to to

music, to the bus that takes you to the

music to the bus that takes you to the

suitup building, um the farewell

suitup building um the farewell

ceremonies, and then of course um you

ceremonies and then of course um you

know that trip to the the launchpad

itself.

itself

>> However well you prepare, there must be

>> However well you prepare there must be

that that human natural human anxiety

about what was to come.

about what was to come

>> Absolutely. There is anxiety and and it

>> Absolutely There is anxiety and and it

is the final farewell, you know, to your

is the final farewell you know to your

your family and friends all there. And

your family and friends all there And

so, um, it's mixed with emotions as

so um it's mixed with emotions as

well, but there is a point where you you

well but there is a point where you you

say goodbye to your family. You get on

say goodbye to your family You get on

the bus that takes you to the launch pad

and and there's a real shift in focus. I

and and there's a real shift in focus I

remember standing underneath your

rocket, the Soyuse rocket, which the

rocket the Soyuse rocket which the

they've been using for so many years, so

they've been using for so many years so

successfully, very reliable rocket, and

successfully very reliable rocket and

thinking, goodness me, this is a small

thinking goodness me this is a small

rocket to be going into space. What was

rocket to be going into space What was

it like actually being on board? It is a

it like actually being on board It is a

small rocket, but it, as you said there,

small rocket but it as you said there

it is very reliable, which is very

it is very reliable which is very

reassuring. Um, and the launch into

reassuring Um and the launch into

space is is only about 8 minutes 48

seconds to get into space. So, that's

seconds to get into space So that's

when the rocket really has to do its

job. Um, a small rocket is it's very

job Um a small rocket is it's very

efficient. Um, and and and we're trained

efficient Um and and and we're trained

for so many times in the simulator. We'd

for so many times in the simulator We'd

launched about probably up to a thousand

times perhaps in the simulator in some

form or other. Um, so we felt very very

form or other Um so we felt very very

prepared for what was to come. Does the

prepared for what was to come Does the

simulator really prepare you for the the

noise that very physical sensation of

being being on board uh during launch?

being being on board uh during launch

>> It doesn't prepare you for that kind of

visceral experience and the centrifuge

certainly allows us to experience the

high G forces that we're going to feel

during launch, but nothing can fully

during launch but nothing can fully

prepare you. What the simulator does, it

prepare you What the simulator does it

allows us to become very familiar with

um anything that can go wrong and it

gives us the confidence to know that we

can deal with those eventualities should

they arise.

they arise

>> I remember you grinning at the camera,

>> I remember you grinning at the camera

giving the thumbs up. You're clearly

giving the thumbs up You're clearly

having the ride of your life.

having the ride of your life

>> Yes. Um I mean at that point really

>> Yes Um I mean at that point really

you're there just monitoring the rocket

um making sure everything goes according

to plan. There's actually very little

to plan There's actually very little

that the astronauts um do during the

launch process other than monitor to

check everything's fine. Um it's only

check everything's fine Um it's only

once the engines cut out and then we

have to rendevous with the international

space station that's when we get much

more actively involved in flying the

spacecraft.

spacecraft

>> So what's life like on board?

>> So what's life like on board

>> On board the space station is a very

busy place. Um we tend to work from 7

busy place Um we tend to work from 7

till 7. Um, and we're focused primarily

till 7 Um and we're focused primarily

on scientific experiments. Although

on scientific experiments Although

there's lots of maintenance to be done

as well, occasional space walks, cargo

as well occasional space walks cargo

operations, that kind of thing. But

operations that kind of thing But

generally speaking, Monday to Friday,

generally speaking Monday to Friday

very, very busy. We drop the tempo at

very very busy We drop the tempo at

the weekends a little bit, but we do our

the weekends a little bit but we do our

voluntary science there.

voluntary science there

>> Yeah. And I remember you you doing a lot

>> Yeah And I remember you you doing a lot

with with microgravity and explaining

how things do weird uh work in weird

ways uh when there isn't the gravity

that we have down here on Earth. And you

that we have down here on Earth And you

took great pleasure in demonstrating

that.

that

>> Absolutely. I mean in gravity um it is

>> Absolutely I mean in gravity um it is

has a huge effect clearly. You know 4

has a huge effect clearly You know 4

billion years of evolution has all been

under the influence of earth's gravity.

under the influence of earth's gravity

So if you can change that parameter and

put put that to zero then interesting

things happen. And when you allow things

things happen And when you allow things

to grow without gravity, they grow in a

to grow without gravity they grow in a

very different way. Whether that's

very different way Whether that's

fruit, vegetables, for example, or

fruit vegetables for example or

whether it's protein crystals that we

can study and then find new

pharmaceutical cures for diseases like

Huntington's or Parkinson's or motor

neurone disease.

neurone disease

>> And that is I mean clearly one of the

prime purposes of of the International

Space Station. It's coming towards the

Space Station It's coming towards the

end of its life. Do you think it's

end of its life Do you think it's

important that we do maintain that

orbiting laboratory so that we can

continue that understanding of how

things do behave in in low gravity?

things do behave in in low gravity

>> It's incredibly important. Absolutely.

>> It's incredibly important Absolutely

And um there are already at least four

serious contenders for follow-on

commercial space stations. So I think

commercial space stations So I think

there'll be a continual presence in low

Earth orbit where we'll be able to

access for for research and development

as well. But no, we're we're really just

as well But no we're we're really just

scratching the surface of some of the

incredible things that we can do in

microgravity. And I think the next phase

microgravity And I think the next phase

is even more exciting when we start

thinking about larger scale

manufacturing. So rather than just doing

manufacturing So rather than just doing

the research and realizing that say for

example we can create a metal alloy that

you can't make on Earth that's lighter,

you can't make on Earth that's lighter

stronger, more elastic than anything

stronger more elastic than anything

we've got. Well, now let's see if we can

we've got Well now let's see if we can

actually manufacture it at scale.

actually manufacture it at scale

>> How much time did you get to appreciate

your environment though? I mean, I know

your environment though I mean I know

the laboratory itself, I don't think it

the laboratory itself I don't think it

has a window, does it, where you're

has a window does it where you're

actually working. So, it's very

actually working So it's very

difficult other than the fact that

you're weightless. It's very difficult

you're weightless It's very difficult

to to kind of see what's going on

outdoors.

outdoors

>> Yes. The main kind of laboratory

>> Yes The main kind of laboratory

modules, they have small um uh hatch

modules they have small um uh hatch

windows about the size of a dinner plate

at every hatch, but then there's a

at every hatch but then there's a

wonderful um coupler window, which is

wonderful um coupler window which is

kind of like seven windows in one, and

kind of like seven windows in one and

that's where you get the really good

view of Earth. So, if ever you have a a

view of Earth So if ever you have a a

10-minute coffee break up there, that's

10-minute coffee break up there that's

where everyone goes with the camera to

take photos of Earth or to look out at

the galaxy.

the galaxy

>> And we've seen so many of your photos uh

published since. I mean, was there a

published since I mean was there a

particular part of the planet that you

learned to love?

learned to love

>> Um, I learned to love the whole planet,

>> Um I learned to love the whole planet

and that's what I thought was quite

strange. Some of the areas we might

strange Some of the areas we might

think are barren and desolate, like the

think are barren and desolate like the

Sahara Desert or Western Australia,

Sahara Desert or Western Australia

actually seen from space, they're

actually seen from space they're

stunning. They're they're beautiful. The

stunning They're they're beautiful The

the oranges, the browns, the colors. um

the oranges the browns the colors um

the Amazon rainforests, the central

the Amazon rainforests the central

Africa, um they really stand out and of

Africa um they really stand out and of

course mountains, glacias, um volcanoes.

course mountains glacias um volcanoes

I mean the planet is beautiful wherever

you look.

you look

>> And I guess you also get an appreciation

that it's it's not static. It's a

that it's it's not static It's a

forever changing. The storms, the the

forever changing The storms the the

northern lights or the the you know,

northern lights or the the you know

everything is is is just changes the

whole time.

whole time

>> It's an incredibly dynamic planet. And I

>> It's an incredibly dynamic planet And I

think that's one of the most striking

things when you see it from space. we

things when you see it from space we

realize what the planet is doing for us

all the time. Whether that's protecting

all the time Whether that's protecting

us from harmful solar radiation when we

see the aurora at the northern and

southern magnetic poles, um whether it's

southern magnetic poles um whether it's

seeing thunderstorms throughout, you

seeing thunderstorms throughout you

know, the the whole night cycle,

know the the whole night cycle

thousands of thunderstorms all over the

planet at the same time, whether it's

planet at the same time whether it's

hurricanes forming in the Atlantic, um

hurricanes forming in the Atlantic um

you realize this this dynamic planet is

is really working incredibly hard to

protect us all down here. And do you get

protect us all down here And do you get

a sense of how fragile it really is when

you see how thin the atmosphere is?

you see how thin the atmosphere is

>> Absolutely. It is just that thin

>> Absolutely It is just that thin

atmosphere that makes the difference it,

atmosphere that makes the difference it

you know, it's different from Mars. It's

you know it's different from Mars It's

different from Venus which could support

life potentially if if only for a better

atmosphere. So we do have to look after

atmosphere So we do have to look after

the the atmosphere that we've got.

the the atmosphere that we've got

>> So how do you think the whole experience

changed you?

changed you

>> Um I think it changed me in many ways. I

>> Um I think it changed me in many ways I

think every time we push ourselves out

of our comfort zone, we learn more about

of our comfort zone we learn more about

ourself and that gives us confidence

moving forward to use those skills and

experiences in future projects. Um, it's

experiences in future projects Um it's

an incredible place to work at the

cutting edge of science and technology.

cutting edge of science and technology

The camaraderie u is second to none. The

The camaraderie u is second to none The

kind of spirit of international

collaboration um it opens your eyes to

what's possible when everybody works

together towards a common goal.

together towards a common goal

>> And what about your health? I mean we we

>> And what about your health I mean we we

we know that as you say it ages

everybody by by 20 years. Can you

everybody by by 20 years Can you

recover that? How do you try and

recover that How do you try and

mitigate against against some of those

effects?

effects

>> Yes, that's a good question. I mean

>> Yes that's a good question I mean

staying fit in space is so important and

that's to help you to come back to

earth. Um actually if you allow the

earth Um actually if you allow the

human body to change into what it wants

to do in space, it would be quite an

to do in space it would be quite an

interesting experiment but it wouldn't

be kind on the body. So we we exercise

be kind on the body So we we exercise

for two hours a day so that we can come

back to Earth's punishing gravity and

not suffer too much. Um so staying fit

not suffer too much Um so staying fit

and healthy is is just part of an

astronaut's routine to make sure that

you're um as good as you can be for the

next mission.

next mission

>> And psychologically, do you think it

>> And psychologically do you think it

changes you as well? Having that they

changes you as well Having that they

call it the overview effect, don't they?

call it the overview effect don't they

When when you're able to to look down on

on Earth and appreciate in a completely

new way.

new way

>> It certainly does uh change you. Yes.

>> It certainly does uh change you Yes

you get to see the planet um in an

incredibly special way. Uh and also you

incredibly special way Uh and also you

get to see it against that backdrop of

of the vast universe and I think that

real makes you realize how important you

know spaceship earth is to all of us.

know spaceship earth is to all of us

>> Yes. I guess you spend a lot of time

>> Yes I guess you spend a lot of time

looking down at Earth. Did you look the

looking down at Earth Did you look the

other way as well at the the inky

blackness?

blackness

>> You certainly do. And actually, um, you

>> You certainly do And actually um you

know, some people think that the inky

know some people think that the inky

blackness is brutal and hostile, which

blackness is brutal and hostile which

of course it is, but there's also a a

of course it is but there's also a a

beauty to that vast blackness of of

space. Um, a sort of serene tranquility

space Um a sort of serene tranquility

to it. Um, and I think when you see

to it Um and I think when you see

Earth set against that blackness, it

Earth set against that blackness it

makes you realize even more how special

Earth is.

Earth is

>> And now, of course, we're seeing a new

>> And now of course we're seeing a new

generation of astronauts heading out

into that void, that inky blackness. Do

into that void that inky blackness Do

you think they are better prepared this

time round? And I don't mean just

time round And I don't mean just

because the technology has advanced, but

because the technology has advanced but

it's the understanding of from

everything that has been learned from

people like yourself on on the ISS that

they know how the better that how the

mind works, the body will react uh as it

mind works the body will react uh as it

travels through deep space and so on.

travels through deep space and so on

>> Um it's an interesting question because

of course the Apollo astronauts were

incredibly well prepared when you think

what they gone through with the Mercury

program, the Gemini program. how many

program the Gemini program how many

people were so focused on that moon

landing. Um, so not to say that they

landing Um so not to say that they

weren't prepared, but I think with the

weren't prepared but I think with the

new Arteimis program, there's a a clear

new Arteimis program there's a a clear

vision that takes us beyond just going

to the moon. A clear vision that we've

to the moon A clear vision that we've

got a destination we want to go to, the

got a destination we want to go to the

South Pole where we know there's water

ice. We want to create habitation

ice We want to create habitation

modules on the surface of the moon. We

modules on the surface of the moon We

want to have astronauts living there for

six months to a year on the surface and

learning more about the moon and using

it as a staging post to get to Mars. So

it as a staging post to get to Mars So

I think it's that kind of mindset that

we're returning to the moon with a much

kind of grander vision of where this is

going to take us in just the next 10 to

15 years.

15 years

>> But I guess by living on board the ISS

for 6 months or or more, I Scott spent

for 6 months or or more I Scott spent

how long? It was almost a year.

how long It was almost a year

>> He was virtually a year in space.

>> He was virtually a year in space

>> Well, it was quite extraordinary. So

>> Well it was quite extraordinary So

very good uh understanding particularly

when comparing with his twin who's down

on Earth and really understanding how

the body does change. in in

the body does change in in

microgravity, the effects of of

microgravity the effects of of

radiation on on DNA and and all that

kind of stuff. It's going to be really

kind of stuff It's going to be really

important to know these things when we

go for these long duration missions on

the moon or perhaps beyond. Absolutely.

the moon or perhaps beyond Absolutely

And and we have built on the experience

of of everybody who's contributed over

the last 50 years um since 1972, the

the last 50 years um since 1972 the

last humans to leave the surface of the

moon. And um and all of that experience

moon And um and all of that experience

is going into the Aremis program,

is going into the Aremis program

whether it's just understanding more

about the food that we eat, the exercise

about the food that we eat the exercise

we need to do um or how various systems

are going to work on our spacecraft. Um

are going to work on our spacecraft Um

we we certainly kind of stand on the

shoulders of of giants uh and uh and we

really do, you know, admire those people

really do you know admire those people

who have gone before us who have helped

it make it easier for these missions to

come.

come

>> You must have a good understanding of

what the crew are going through now as

they countd down to launch it. It it is

they countd down to launch it It it is

coming really closely now.

coming really closely now

>> It is it's really exciting. I mean,

>> It is it's really exciting I mean

we're looking at just next spring, um,

we're looking at just next spring um

which is very, very soon. Um, and I

which is very very soon Um and I

think the public perhaps don't even

realize what they're about to see. You

realize what they're about to see You

know, the astronauts going very very

know the astronauts going very very

close to the moon's surface again,

close to the moon's surface again

orbiting the moon with today's

technology in terms of cameras and and

high definition and color. Um, we're

high definition and color Um we're

going to see the moon like we've never

seen it before. We're going to see

seen it before We're going to see

commentary from those astronauts. Um and

commentary from those astronauts Um and

and it's going to be quite remarkable to

follow that mission. It's going to be

follow that mission It's going to be

incredibly special.

incredibly special

>> It will be the far side of the moon and

and not many people see that.

and not many people see that

>> Absolutely. Yes. And of course, they're

>> Absolutely Yes And of course they're

going to be spending 10 days orbiting

the moon. So they there'll be a long

the moon So they there'll be a long

period of time where they're able to

kind of reach out back to Earth and and

share those experiences with us.

share those experiences with us

>> It is a very new rocket. I mean, how how

>> It is a very new rocket I mean how how

do you think they are kind of um

accepting that inevitable risk? It's the

accepting that inevitable risk It's the

first time that humans have been

launched in it and they are going far

beyond Earth's orbit.

beyond Earth's orbit

>> Absolutely. It uh it is a a new mission

>> Absolutely It uh it is a a new mission

with a new rocket and and therefore the

risk is definitely higher. We've had 25

risk is definitely higher We've had 25

years now of operating on the

international space station and whilst

there have been various new vehicles

that have taken us there and back um

from the shuttle to the sawyers to um

SpaceX Falcon and 9 for example um this

SLS rocket is is only on its second

mission. So there is definitely uh a

mission So there is definitely uh a

greater level of risk associated with it

but again the astronauts are completely

committed to what they're doing

passionate about what they're doing and

um all the experts who are working on

the Aremis mission would have gone to

you know every effort to make sure the

risk is as low as possible.

risk is as low as possible

>> We know from what the NASA administrator

the NASA chief is is saying that

absolutely determined to get there

before the Chinese. Do you sense this

before the Chinese Do you sense this

space race which is beginning to build

once again? And there is a bit of a

once again And there is a bit of a

space race, but I think it's it's it's

space race but I think it's it's it's

slightly different. You've got, yes, the

slightly different You've got yes the

Chinese who have got a a very successful

space station in low Earth orbit that's

currently occupied and an ambitious

program to head to the moon and of

course the Aremis program to return to

the moon. Um, and commercial companies

the moon Um and commercial companies

are interested in this. Now the the moon

are interested in this Now the the moon

um has a different meaning this time

round because it's being seen as a

permanent place to go and and stay to

study um but also potentially uh in

terms of resources as well. So there is

terms of resources as well So there is

this kind of new element of a a space

race. Um I I think we can also do it in

race Um I I think we can also do it in

a spirit of of cooperation and

collaboration. Space is incredibly hard,

collaboration Space is incredibly hard

a very hostile environment. It would be

a very hostile environment It would be

foolish to not have things like common

docking systems so that we can help each

other out if if people got into trouble.

other out if if people got into trouble

Um that's the whole spirit of of

exploration is is you know yes okay we

might be coming from different positions

but we're also you know one species and

we're also there to cooperate and

collaborate. Do you sense that although

collaborate Do you sense that although

there might be sort of more public

bluster uh from the officials that that

behind the scenes there is this sense of

cooperation in the past the Chinese have

not cooperated with um the western

nations but do you sense that perhaps

this will be a moment such a hostile

environment where the only sensible

thing will be to cooperate somehow

>> I think so I think that's one of the the

beacons that the international space

station was it It was this spirit of of

um collaboration and cooperation. Um and

um collaboration and cooperation Um and

I think as we move forward again we are

kind of uh focusing on the moon as a as

a goal and and that will also embody

this new spirit of collaboration as

well.

well

>> How important then given that we are

moving into a new era of space

exploration. How important do you think

exploration How important do you think

it is that that the UK remains committed

to to human space flight to putting

astronauts uh on whatever future

orbiting laboratory there is and perhaps

joining these missions to the moon and

beyond?

beyond

>> I think we need to stay incredibly

engaged with what's going on in space.

engaged with what's going on in space

We've got a fantastic space industry at

the moment, but we need to embrace that

the moment but we need to embrace that

and we need to help it grow. Um I mean

and we need to help it grow Um I mean

space is an incredible growth industry.

space is an incredible growth industry

Um, but in terms of human space flight,

Um but in terms of human space flight

I think what we'll be seeing in in low

Earth orbit is actually the the amount

of people who have the opportunity to go

there increasing rapidly and not

necessarily from a point of space

tourism, but perhaps from a point of

tourism but perhaps from a point of

view of employees who may be running

science and research. I I think it's

science and research I I think it's

going to be a bit like aviation where

you might have two professional

astronauts flying the spacecraft and you

might have several passengers who are

going to space to do research, for

going to space to do research for

example.

example

>> Is there a wish for you to go, do you

>> Is there a wish for you to go do you

think? Do you regret having retired?

think Do you regret having retired

>> Well, I haven't retired. I've I've left

>> Well I haven't retired I've I've left

the European Space Agency, but I'm still

the European Space Agency but I'm still

working with Axiom Space, who's a US

working with Axiom Space who's a US

company, and they they fly private

company and they they fly private

astronaut missions to the space station.

astronaut missions to the space station

So, I'm still hoping for another trip

So I'm still hoping for another trip

back to the space station. But yes, in

back to the space station But yes in

terms of going to Mars, I think that is

terms of going to Mars I think that is

outside of my my career time frame. Um,

outside of my my career time frame Um

and I I will watch on with envy when

when those first humans do go off to the

red planet. European Space Agency has

red planet European Space Agency has

said that it will be a German astronaut

uh that will be going on a future

Arteimus mission, Arteimus 4. Um we

Arteimus mission Arteimus 4 Um we

don't yet know the date of that, but

don't yet know the date of that but

that will be to the surface of the moon.

that will be to the surface of the moon

How hopeful are you that there will be a

British astronaut there in the future

and perhaps Rosemary Kugan?

and perhaps Rosemary Kugan

>> I I would love to see a British

astronaut on on the surface of the moon.

astronaut on on the surface of the moon

Obviously, we are very much a part of

Obviously we are very much a part of

the European Space Agency and the

European Space Agency is very much a

part of the Aremis program. We provide

part of the Aremis program We provide

the service module to the Orion

spacecraft. So we're we're we provide a

spacecraft So we're we're we provide a

critical piece of infrastructure to that

mission. Um and uh it would be great to

mission Um and uh it would be great to

see that that first European on the

surface of the moon. But yes, I'd love

surface of the moon But yes I'd love

to see a Union flag on the surface of

the moon uh in the not too distant

future. But it is interesting how we now

future But it is interesting how we now

your legacy is that there is this strong

group of of British astronauts either

formerly part of the training program or

as reserve astronauts or in the case of

John McFall a disabled uh astronaut who

is teaching us new things about how the

body responds to uh microgravity.

body responds to uh microgravity

>> Absolutely. I mean we're we're so well

>> Absolutely I mean we're we're so well

placed in the UK. You know I mentioned

placed in the UK You know I mentioned

about our space industry but also in

terms of human space flight as well. Um,

terms of human space flight as well Um

and I I I would love to see John get to

space. I think in terms of being the

space I think in terms of being the

first par astronaut would teach us an

awful lot. Um, space is a real leveler.

awful lot Um space is a real leveler

Um, I think it was Samantha Christopheri

Um I think it was Samantha Christopheri

who said in space we're all disabled and

we're all learning a new skill. Um, and

we're all learning a new skill Um and

we all have to learn how to use our

bodies differently so that we can be as

efficient as we can be. Um, and so I

efficient as we can be Um and so I

think in in that respect it's going to

be very exciting to see John in space.

be very exciting to see John in space

So what are the chances of you getting

back into space then with the Axiom

mission? I know that you are passing

mission I know that you are passing

around the hat hoping for uh sponsorship

to get this mission off the ground and

the UK government has said that it will

get behind it if if the money is there.

get behind it if if the money is there

>> Absolutely. And that's an interesting

>> Absolutely And that's an interesting

model as well using commercial

sponsorship because uh this is kind of

the environment we're working now in

terms of this new operating commercial

operating of low earth orbit. So there

operating of low earth orbit So there

are so many companies that haven't

necessarily looked uh at space as being

interesting to them who are now

realizing that space is a huge part of

the the global economy but also an

incredible growth environment and and to

be on board with what's going on in

space is very now exciting and

interesting to them. So we are really

interesting to them So we are really

enjoying engaging with companies and and

um seeing what it is that they uh might

want to to do in space and and how we

could assist them with that.

could assist them with that

>> Is it going to happen?

>> Is it going to happen

I would like to say yes. I think it will

I would like to say yes I think it will

happen. Yes. Um at the moment we're

happen Yes Um at the moment we're

waiting from NASA to find out who they

have allocated the next two private

astronaut missions to. So I think once

astronaut missions to So I think once

we get that information which should be

coming in the next few weeks, then we'll

coming in the next few weeks then we'll

be able to say with a a greater degree

of certainty whether it'll happen or

not.

not

>> Tim, we can hope it would be fantastic

>> Tim we can hope it would be fantastic

to see that grin, that thumbs up going

to see that grin that thumbs up going

to space once again. Tim Peak, thank you

to space once again Tim Peak thank you

very much indeed.

very much indeed

>> Thanks very much.

>> Thanks very much

- Pause

Account Settings Subscriptions

Your daily language practice

Today's Learning Tip

You might also like these videos

Astronaut Tim Peake urges the US and China not to engage in a space race

'The Ukrainians are struggling,' in war with Russia, historian says

Young people could lose benefits if they refuse to try new work schemes, minister says

Lib Dems: Spending on child poverty saves money in the long term

Son of British couple held in Iran backed by Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe's husband

Asylum plans: 'Farage can sod off', says Mahmood after invitation to join Reform UK