Astronaut makes big step for Britain in space

Tim Peake will be able to add “spacewalking” to his list of personal achievements, having emerged from the International Space Station (ISS) a history maker.

Screen grabbed image taken from footage issued by NASA of Tim Peake, the first Briton to walk in space, as he undertakes a spacewalk to help repair a broken power unit of the International Space Station (ISS). Image by NASA/PA Wire

The father-of-two, 43, became the first British citizen to walk in space, shortly after 12.55pm GMT on Friday.

It was a career-defining moment for the former Army test pilot.

Screen grabbed image taken from footage issued by NASA of Tim Peake . Image by NASA/PA Wire

The 43-year-old, from Chichester, West Sussex, was accompanied by Nasa colleague Colonel Tim Kopra, 52, for the six-and-a-half-hour operation.

A live feed on the Nasa website showed the moment Major Peake tentatively emerged from the ISS, where he has stayed since leaving Earth on December 15 for a six-month mission, with the Union flag on the shoulder of his space suit.

As he prepared to exit the air lock, one of his colleagues, Commander Scott Kelly, took a moment to point out it was “really cool” to see the Union flag outside.

Mr Kelly said: “The Union Jack has explored all over the world, now it’s exploring space.”

Major Peake replied: “It’s great to be wearing it. A privilege, a proud moment.”

The two checked each other’s equipment with the help of mission control in Houston.

They ventured outside to replace a voltage regulator that broke in November. The station has operated unaffected using the remaining seven power units.

The astronauts need to work in 45-minute blocks of daylight, then complete darkness.

The spacewalk has been timed to the minute so that the power unit can be removed in darkness, when it has no electrical potential.

Viewers of the feed saw a point-of-view perspective from helmet cameras as the two astronauts negotiated their way along the exterior of the station.

British astronaut Tim Peake who made history today as the first British man to walk in space. Image by NASA/PA Wire

The two checked each other’s equipment with the help of mission control in Houston.

They ventured outside to replace a voltage regulator that broke in November. The station has operated unaffected using the remaining seven power units.

The astronauts need to work in 45-minute blocks of daylight, then complete darkness.

The spacewalk has been timed to the minute so that the power unit can be removed in darkness, when it has no electrical potential.

Viewers of the feed saw a point-of-view perspective from helmet cameras as the two astronauts negotiated their way along the exterior of the station.

(Press Association)