As Astronaut Tim Peake Returns To Earth, Here Are His Most Stunning Instagram Pictures From Space

Never has our world looked so beautiful.

British astronaut Major Tim Peake is returning to earth at 10.15 BST on Saturday after having spent six months on the International Space Station.

Despite working 14-hour days and undertaking over 250 scientific experiments during his time on board, Peake has also been staying in touch with earth via social media.

Peake has been sharing beautiful photos with his 240k Instagram followers and the images have been transporting people out of this world.

Let's not forget his Instagram has also hosted a series of funny video experiments, including a flipping marathon, backwards somersaults and trying to answer the question - can you really get dizzy in space?

Asked about his return, Peake told reporters: “It goes without saying that I’m looking forward to seeing my family but also enjoying planet Earth.”

“I most miss the rain. I’ve not had a shower for six months so the feeling of nice cold drizzle on my face seems quite blissful. I’m sure most people in the UK will find that remarkable.”

#London midnight #Saturday – I’d rather be up here…but only just!! #toughcall #midnight #night #lights #urban

A photo posted by Tim Peake (@astro_timpeake) on

Sao Paulo - a city I would love to visit sometime. #Brazil #saopaulo #night #space

A photo posted by Tim Peake (@astro_timpeake) on

Tokyo and Japanese coast. #Japan #Osaka #Nagoya #Tokyo #JAXA

A photo posted by Tim Peake (@astro_timpeake) on

Summer sun setting over UK. #sun #unitedkingdom #sunset #summer #space

A photo posted by Tim Peake (@astro_timpeake) on

The striking colour and texture of Africa. #africaart

A photo posted by Tim Peake (@astro_timpeake) on

Emi Koussi volcano in Chad. #AfricaArt

A photo posted by Tim Peake (@astro_timpeake) on

On Saturday, Peake will return to earth with American astronaut Colonel Tim Kopra and Russian cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko.

The trip, made in a Soyuz TMA descent capsule, departing at 3.15am BST before undocking from the space station at 6.30am BST, comes with its hazards.

Striking atmosphere at more than 17,000mph, a safe landing will depend heavily on friction, which will envelop the module in temperatures of up to 1,650°C (3,000°F).

They will then deploy parachutes and retro-rockets to slow their descent further until they halt in the Kazakhstan Steppe at around 10.15am BST.

Last #aurora photo from this morning's masterclass with @stationcdrkelly. #moon #night

A photo posted by Tim Peake (@astro_timpeake) on

#Sunrise from #space.

A video posted by Tim Peake (@astro_timpeake) on

Swirling plankton bloom off the coast of Patagonia. #plankton #sea #swirls # patagonia

A photo posted by Tim Peake (@astro_timpeake) on

Last of three #NewZealand pictures for the day: Lake Hawea and Lake Wanaka looking stunning in the sunshine! #lake

A photo posted by Tim Peake (@astro_timpeake) on

One of my favourite pics so far – Patagonia’s beautiful southern ice field

A photo posted by Tim Peake (@astro_timpeake) on

The dam makes this river look like a dragon's tail. #southdakota #river #snow #USA #oahe #dragon

A photo posted by Tim Peake (@astro_timpeake) on

Spring must be coming - the sea ice is melting in the Hudson Bay! #Canada #hudsonbay #space

A photo posted by Tim Peake (@astro_timpeake) on

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