Timothy Peake and his fellow astronauts have successfully docked with the International Space Station. The Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft docked at 17.33, six and a half hours after lift off at 11.03 GMT.
Commander Yuri Malenchenko had to manually fly the spacecraft toward the International Space Station.
The docking procedure itself didn't entirely go to plan after mission commander Yuri Malenchenko had to disengage the autopilot and fly the spacecraft in manually.
It spent just over 30 minutes completing its fly-around as the astronauts on-board made sure every part of the capsule was precisely aligned with the station, while travelling at a speed of 20-30 centimetres per second.
Tensions rose as there were difficulties in manoeuvring the capsule into position. Yuri took manual control and backed the capsule away before making a second attempt to re-align it with the station's docking port.
This put the docking behind its scheduled time of 17.23 GMT by just over 10 minutes.
The spacecraft inches slowly towards the docking hatch.
There were emotional scenes this morning as Major Tim Peake said goodbye to family and friends before blasting off for the International Space Station (ISS).
Major Peake became the first UK astronaut to blast off for the ISS, launching at 11:03 GMT this morning as part of a 6-month mission to carry out scientific experiments on behalf of the European Space Agency.
Generating 26 million hp of thrust, the Soyuz TMA-19M blasted off towards the International Space Station.
The launch in Kazakhstan took just a matter of minutes but the Soyuz capsule carrying Peake won't be expected to dock with the ISS until 17:23:07 GMT 15 December 2015, a journey of about six-and-a-half hours.
Wellwishers gathered waving Union flags, cheering and shouting "go Tim" as Major Peake and his two crew companions departed from the Cosmonaut Hotel for the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
They included Major Peake's best man, former Army Air Corps pilot Ian Curry, 50, who said: "I'm hugely excited about the launch. For me it's a once in a lifetime opportunity to see a tremendously exciting thing and one of my best mates is on board. Tim and I are great mates, we've been pretty tight for 27 years."
SEE ALSO:
- Tim Peake: Who Is He? When Is The Launch? What Is His Mission Aboard The International Space Station?
- Tim Peake: How Life Will Change For The British Astronaut Once Aboard The ISS
- Timothy Peake Sends Last Tweet Before Liftoff To International Space Station
- Revealed: The UK's First Astronaut's Mission Patch
- British Astronaut Major Timothy Peake Confirmed For Space Station Mission
- International Space Station: 15 Years In 50 Pictures
Accompanying Major Peake were NASA astronaut Tim Kopra and cosmonaut commander Yuri Malenchenko. The three astronauts launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan and then fly to the International Space Station using a Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft.
Already aboard the ISS already are Russians Sergey Volkov and Mikhail Korniyenko, along with American Scott Kelly.
Capable of generating 26 million horsepower, the spacecraft rocketed the astronauts into orbit in just a matter of minutes. However it will take nearly six hours for the spacecraft to catch up with the International Space Station.
Major Peake sent his final tweet this morning (Tuesday) as he officially began his countdown to launch:
While the world sent their support and best wishes to Major Peake, not everyone was as keen about him heading to space. Tim's youngest son Oliver, four, Sitting on the shoulders of his grandfather, Tim's father-in-law, cried loudly, saying: "I want to go with Daddy." He was consoled by his mother as he clutched a toy.
Major Peake and his crew mates waved and smiled before stepping on to the bus that will take them to the "suiting-up" building. There the trio will don their pressure suits before being transported to the launch pad.
As they were leaving, music was played - an old Russian song about a cosmonaut pining for home.
Later, the crew will salute the state commission - Cosmodrome officials - before being taken to Launch Pad 1 and climbing into the tiny Soyuz TMA-19 space capsule on top of the rocket.
Story continues below...
Tim Peake Leaves For The ISS
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In this photo taken with long time exposure the Soyuz-FG rocket booster with Soyuz TMA-19M space ship carrying a new crew to the International Space Station, ISS, blasts off at the Russian leased Baikonur cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2015. The Russian rocket carries British astronaut Tim Peake, Russian cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko and U.S. astronaut Tim Kopra. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
KAZAKHSTAN-RUSSIA-US-BRITAIN-ISS-SPACE(02 of54)
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 the Russian-leased Baikonur cosmodrome on December 15, 2015. AFP PHOTO / KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP / KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV (Photo credit should read KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV via Getty Images)
KAZAKHSTAN-RUSSIA-US-BRITAIN-ISS-SPACE(03 of54)
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 the Russian-leased Baikonur cosmodrome on December 15, 2015. AFP PHOTO / KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP / KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV (Photo credit should read KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV via Getty Images)
KAZAKHSTAN-RUSSIA-US-BRITAIN-ISS-SPACE(04 of54)
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 the Russian-leased Baikonur cosmodrome on December 15, 2015. AFP PHOTO / KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP / KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV (Photo credit should read KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV via Getty Images)
Expedition 46 Soyuz Launch(05 of54)
BAIKONUR, KAZAKHSTAN - DECEMBER 15: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) (NO SALES) In this handout image supplied by the European Space Agency (ESA), Expedition 46-47 crewmembers ESA astronaut Tim Peake, NASA astronaut Tim Kopra and commander Yuri Malenchenko launch into space from Baikonur cosmodrome on December 15, 2015 in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Soyuz TMA-19M is carrying crew members Soyuz Commander Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), Flight Engineer Tim Kopra of NASA, and Flight Engineer Tim Peake of ESA (European Space Agency) to the International Space Station for a six-month mission, as part of Expedition 46. (Photo by ESA via Getty Images) (credit:ESA via Getty Images)
KAZAKHSTAN-RUSSIA-US-BRITAIN-ISS-SPACE(06 of54)
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 the Russian-leased Baikonur cosmodrome on December 15, 2015. AFP PHOTO / KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP / KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV (Photo credit should read KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV via Getty Images)
Expedition 46 Soyuz Launch(07 of54)
BAIKONUR, KAZAKHSTAN - DECEMBER 15: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) (NO SALES) In this handout image supplied by NASA, Expedition 46-47 crewmembers ESA astronaut Tim Peake, NASA astronaut Tim Kopra and commander Yuri Malenchenko launch into space from Baikonur cosmodrome on December 15, 2015 in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Soyuz TMA-19M is carrying crew members Soyuz Commander Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), Flight Engineer Tim Kopra of NASA, and Flight Engineer Tim Peake of ESA (European Space Agency) to the International Space Station for a six-month mission, as part of Expedition 46. (Photo by NASA/ Joel Kowsky via Getty Images) (credit:NASA via Getty Images)
Expedition 46 Soyuz Launch(08 of54)
BAIKONUR, KAZAKHSTAN - DECEMBER 15: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) (NO SALES) In this handout image supplied by the European Space Agency (ESA), Expedition 46-47 crewmembers ESA astronaut Tim Peake, NASA astronaut Tim Kopra and commander Yuri Malenchenko launch into space from Baikonur cosmodrome on December 15, 2015 in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Soyuz TMA-19M is carrying crew members Soyuz Commander Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), Flight Engineer Tim Kopra of NASA, and Flight Engineer Tim Peake of ESA (European Space Agency) to the International Space Station for a six-month mission, as part of Expedition 46. (Photo by ESA via Getty Images) (credit:ESA via Getty Images)
KAZAKHSTAN-RUSSIA-US-BRITAIN-ISS-SPACE(09 of54)
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 the Russian-leased Baikonur cosmodrome on December 15, 2015. AFP PHOTO / KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP / KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV (Photo credit should read KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV via Getty Images)
Expedition 46 Soyuz Launch(10 of54)
BAIKONUR, KAZAKHSTAN - DECEMBER 15: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) (NO SALES) In this handout image supplied by the European Space Agency (ESA), Expedition 46-47 crewmembers ESA astronaut Tim Peake, NASA astronaut Tim Kopra and commander Yuri Malenchenko launch into space from Baikonur cosmodrome on December 15, 2015 in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Soyuz TMA-19M is carrying crew members Soyuz Commander Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), Flight Engineer Tim Kopra of NASA, and Flight Engineer Tim Peake of ESA (European Space Agency) to the International Space Station for a six-month mission, as part of Expedition 46. (Photo by ESA via Getty Images) (credit:ESA via Getty Images)
KAZAKHSTAN-RUSSIA-US-BRITAIN-ISS-SPACE(11 of54)
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 the Russian-leased Baikonur cosmodrome on December 15, 2015. AFP PHOTO / KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP / KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV (Photo credit should read KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV via Getty Images)
KAZAKHSTAN-RUSSIA-US-BRITAIN-ISS-SPACE(12 of54)
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 the Russian-leased Baikonur cosmodrome on December 15, 2015. AFP PHOTO / KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP / KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV (Photo credit should read KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV via Getty Images)
KAZAKHSTAN-RUSSIA-US-BRITAIN-ISS-SPACE(13 of54)
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 the Russian-leased Baikonur cosmodrome on December 15, 2015. AFP PHOTO / KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP / KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV (Photo credit should read KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV via Getty Images)
The UK Watches As British Astronaut Launches Into Space(14 of54)
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - DECEMBER 15: School children gather in the Science Museum to watch the launch of space mission Principia from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on December 15, 2015 in London, United Kingdom. European Space Agency Astronaut Tim Peake is a former British Army Air Corps Officer and is the first publicly funded Briton in Space. He should arrive at the International Space Station (ISS) at 6.30pm GMT and will spend the next six months maintaining the ISS and conducting experiments. (Photo by Ben Pruchnie/Getty Images) (credit:Ben Pruchnie via Getty Images)
Expedition 46 Soyuz Launch(15 of54)
BAIKONUR, KAZAKHSTAN - DECEMBER 15: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) (NO SALES) In this handout image supplied by NASA, The Soyuz TMA-19M rocket with Expedition 46 Soyuz Commander Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), Flight Engineer Tim Kopra of NASA, and Flight Engineer Tim Peake of ESA (European Space Agency) launches into space from Baikonur cosmodrome on December 15, 2015 in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Soyuz TMA-19M is carrying crew members Soyuz Commander Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), Flight Engineer Tim Kopra of NASA, and Flight Engineer Tim Peake of ESA (European Space Agency) to the International Space Station for a six-month mission, as part of Expedition 46. (Photo by NASA/ Joel Kowsky via Getty Images) (credit:NASA via Getty Images)
Kazakhstan Russia Space Station(16 of54)
British astronaut Tim Peake, a member of the main crew of the expedition to the International Space Station (ISS), gestures to his child from a bus prior the launch of Soyuz TMA-19M space ship at the Russian leased Baikonur cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2015. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky, Pool) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Kazakhstan Russia Space Station(17 of54)
British astronaut Tim Peake, let, and U.S. astronaut Tim Kopra, members of the main crew of the expedition to the International Space Station (ISS), gesture from a bus prior to the launch of Soyuz TMA-19M space ship at the Russian leased Baikonur cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2015. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky, Pool) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Kazakhstan Russia Space Station(18 of54)
British astronaut Tim Peake, a member of the main crew of the expedition to the International Space Station (ISS), gestures to his children from a bus prior to the launch of Soyuz TMA-19M space ship at the Russian leased Baikonur cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2015. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky, Pool) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Kazakhstan Russia Space Station(19 of54)
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, Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2015. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Kazakhstan Russia Space Station(20 of54)
British astronaut Tim Peake, member of the main crew of the expedition to the International Space Station (ISS), gestures prior the launch of Soyuz TMA-19M space ship at the Russian leased Baikonur cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2015. Peake, the first Briton to represent the European Space Agency aboard the International Space Station, will be away from the planet for six months but looks forward to Earthly pleasures like seeing the new Star Wars movie and having a Christmas pudding. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Kazakhstan Russia Space Station(21 of54)
British astronaut Tim Peake, a member of the main crew to the International Space Station (ISS), waits during an inspection of his space suit prior to the launch of Soyuz-FG rocket at the Russian leased Baikonur cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2015. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky, Pool) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Kazakhstan Russia Space Station(22 of54)
Russian Space Agency experts help British astronaut Tim Peake, a member of the main crew to the International Space Station (ISS), to stand up after inspecting his space suit prior to the launch of Soyuz-FG rocket at the Russian leased Baikonur cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2015. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Kazakhstan Russia Space Station(23 of54)
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, Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2015. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky, Pool) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Britain's astronaut Tim Peake waves from a bus during a sending-off ceremony at the Russian-leased Baikonur cosmodrome on December 15, 2015. 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 is scheduled to blast off to the ISS on December 15, 2015. AFP PHOTO / KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP / KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV (Photo credit should read KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV via Getty Images)
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BAIKONUR, KAZAKHSTAN - DECEMBER 15: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) (NO SALES) In this handout image supplied by the European Space Agency (ESA), ESA astronaut Tim Peake performs the traditional door signing at the Cosmonaut Hotel, prior to departing the hotel for launch in a Soyuz rocket,, on December 15, 2015 in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Soyuz TMA-19M is scheduled to launch on December 15 carrying crew members Soyuz Commander Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), Flight Engineer Tim Kopra of NASA, and Flight Engineer Tim Peake of ESA (European Space Agency) to the International Space Station for a six-month mission, as part of Expedition 46. (Photo by ESA - Stephane Corvaja via Getty Images) (credit:Handout via Getty Images)
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BAIKONUR, KAZAKHSTAN - DECEMBER 14: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) (NO SALES) In this handout image supplied by the European Space Agency (ESA), Expedition 46-47 crewmember Tim Peake of the European Space Agency attends the pre-launch press conference, on December 14, 2015 in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Soyuz TMA-19M is scheduled to launch on December 15 carrying crew members Soyuz Commander Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), Flight Engineer Tim Kopra of NASA, and Flight Engineer Tim Peake of ESA (European Space Agency) to the International Space Station for a six-month mission, as part of Expedition 46. (Photo by ESA - Stephane Corvaja via Getty Images) (credit:Handout via Getty Images)
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Russian cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko waves from a bus during a sending-off ceremony at the Russian-leased Baikonur cosmodrome on December 15, 2015. 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 is scheduled to blast off to the ISS on December 15, 2015. AFP PHOTO / KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP / KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV (Photo credit should read KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV via Getty Images)
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From L: Britain's astronaut Tim Peake, Russian cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko and US astronaut Tim Kopra pose for pictures near a bus during a sending-off ceremony at the Russian-leased Baikonur cosmodrome on December 15, 2015. 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 is scheduled to blast off to the ISS on December 15, 2015. AFP PHOTO / KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP / KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV (Photo credit should read KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV via Getty Images)
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US astronaut Tim Kopra waves from a bus during a sending-off ceremony at the Russian-leased Baikonur cosmodrome on December 15, 2015. 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 is scheduled to blast off to the ISS on December 15, 2015. AFP PHOTO / KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP / KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV (Photo credit should read KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV via Getty Images)
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Britain's astronaut Tim Peake gestures as he stands near a bus during a sending-off ceremony at the Russian-leased Baikonur cosmodrome on December 15, 2015. 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 is scheduled to blast off to the ISS on December 15, 2015. AFP PHOTO / KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP / KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV (Photo credit should read KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV via Getty Images)
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BAIKONUR, KAZAKHSTAN - DECEMBER 14: In this handout from NASA, Expedition 46 Flight Engineer Tim Peake of ESA (European Space Agency), is seen during a press conference held at the Cosmonaut Hotel on December 14, 2015 in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Soyuz TMA-19M is scheduled to launch on December 15 carrying crew members Soyuz Commander Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), Flight Engineer Tim Kopra of NASA, and Flight Engineer Tim Peake of ESA (European Space Agency) to the International Space Station for a six-month mission, as part of Expedition 46-47. (Photo by Joel Kowsky/NASA via Getty Images) (credit:NASA via Getty Images)
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US astronaut Tim Kopra poses for pictures near a bus during a sending-off ceremony at the Russian-leased Baikonur cosmodrome on December 15, 2015. 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 is scheduled to blast off to the ISS on December 15, 2015. AFP PHOTO / KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP / KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV (Photo credit should read KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV via Getty Images)
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From L: Britain's astronaut Tim Peake, Russian cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko and US astronaut Tim Kopra pose for pictures near a bus during a sending-off ceremony at the Russian-leased Baikonur cosmodrome on December 15, 2015. 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 is scheduled to blast off to the ISS on December 15, 2015. AFP PHOTO / KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP / KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV (Photo credit should read KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV via Getty Images)
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From L: Britain's astronaut Tim Peake, Russian cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko and US astronaut Tim Kopra pose for pictures near a bus during a sending-off ceremony at the Russian-leased Baikonur cosmodrome on December 15, 2015. 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 is scheduled to blast off to the ISS on December 15, 2015. AFP PHOTO / KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP / KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV (Photo credit should read KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV via Getty Images)
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BAIKONUR, KAZAKHSTAN - DECEMBER 14: In this handout from NASA, (L to R) Expedition 46 Flight Engineer Tim Peake of the European Space Agency (ESA), Soyuz Commander Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and Flight Engineer Tim Kopra of NASA sit during a press conference held at the Cosmonaut Hotel, on December 14, 2015 in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Soyuz TMA-19M is scheduled to launch on December 15 carrying crew members Soyuz Commander Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), Flight Engineer Tim Kopra of NASA, and Flight Engineer Tim Peake of ESA (European Space Agency) to the International Space Station for a six-month mission, as part of Expedition 46-47. (Photo by Joel Kowsky/NASA via Getty Images) (credit:NASA via Getty Images)
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BAIKONUR, KAZAKHSTAN - DECEMBER 14: In this handout from NASA, (L to R) Expedition 46 Flight Engineer Tim Peake of the European Space Agency (ESA), Soyuz Commander Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and Flight Engineer Tim Kopra of NASA leave after a press conference held at the Cosmonaut Hotel, on December 14, 2015 in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Soyuz TMA-19M is scheduled to launch on December 15 carrying crew members Soyuz Commander Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), Flight Engineer Tim Kopra of NASA, and Flight Engineer Tim Peake of ESA (European Space Agency) to the International Space Station for a six-month mission, as part of Expedition 46-47. (Photo by Joel Kowsky/NASA via Getty Images) (credit:NASA via Getty Images)
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BAIKONUR, KAZAKHSTAN - DECEMBER 14: In this handout from NASA, Expedition 46 Soyuz Commander Yuri Malenchenko answers a question during a press conference held at the Cosmonaut Hotel on December 14, 2015 in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Soyuz TMA-19M is scheduled to launch on December 15 carrying crew members Soyuz Commander Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), Flight Engineer Tim Kopra of NASA, and Flight Engineer Tim Peake of ESA (European Space Agency) to the International Space Station for a six-month mission, as part of Expedition 46-47. (Photo by Joel Kowsky/NASA via Getty Images) (credit:NASA via Getty Images)
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BAIKONUR, KAZAKHSTAN - DECEMBER 14: In this handout from NASA, (L to R) Expedition 46 Flight Engineer Tim Peake of the European Space Agency (ESA), Soyuz Commander Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and Flight Engineer Tim Kopra of NASA pose for at the end of a press conference held at the Cosmonaut Hotel, on December 14, 2015 in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Soyuz TMA-19M is scheduled to launch on December 15 carrying crew members Soyuz Commander Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), Flight Engineer Tim Kopra of NASA, and Flight Engineer Tim Peake of ESA (European Space Agency) to the International Space Station for a six-month mission, as part of Expedition 46-47. (Photo by Joel Kowsky/NASA via Getty Images) (credit:NASA via Getty Images)
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BAIKONUR, KAZAKHSTAN - DECEMBER 14: In this handout from NASA, (L to R) Expedition 46 Soyuz Commander Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), Flight Engineer Tim Kopra of NASA and Flight Engineer Tim Peake of ESA (European Space Agency), arrive at a press conference held at the Cosmonaut Hotel, on December 14, 2015 in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Soyuz TMA-19M is scheduled to launch on December 15 carrying crew members Soyuz Commander Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), Flight Engineer Tim Kopra of NASA, and Flight Engineer Tim Peake of ESA (European Space Agency) to the International Space Station for a six-month mission, as part of Expedition 46-47. (Photo by Joel Kowsky/NASA via Getty Images) (credit:NASA via Getty Images)
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BAIKONUR, KAZAKHSTAN - DECEMBER 14: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) (NO SALES) In this handout from European Space Agency (ESA), Expedition 46-47 crew members (L-R) British Astronaut Flight Engineer Tim Peake of ESA (European Space Agency), Soyuz Commander Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and Flight Engineer Tim Kopra of NASA pose after a press conference at the Baikonur Cosmodrome on December 14, 2015 in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Soyuz TMA-19M is scheduled to launch on December 15 carrying crew members Soyuz Commander Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), Flight Engineer Tim Kopra of NASA, and Flight Engineer Tim Peake of ESA (European Space Agency) to the International Space Station for a six-month mission, as part of Expedition 46-47. (Photo by Stephane Corvaja/ESA via Getty Images) (credit:Handout via Getty Images)
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A Russian Orthodox priest blesses members of the media in front of the Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft at the launch pad of the Russian-leased Baikonur cosmodrome on December 14, 2015. 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 is scheduled to blast off to the ISS on December 15, 2015. AFP PHOTO / KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP / KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV (Photo credit should read KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV via Getty Images)
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Members of the main crew of the 46/47 expedition to the International Space Station (ISS), (from L) Britain's astronaut Tim Peake, Russian cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko and US astronaut Tim Kopra take part in a press conference at the Russian-leased Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on December 14, 2015. 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 is scheduled to blast off to the ISS on December 15, 2015. AFP PHOTO / KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP / KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV (Photo credit should read KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV via Getty Images)
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Britain's astronaut Tim Peake, member of the main crew of the 46/47 expedition to the International Space Station (ISS), takes part in a press conference at the Russian-leased Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on December 14, 2015. 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 is scheduled to blast off to the ISS on December 15, 2015. AFP PHOTO / KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP / KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV (Photo credit should read KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV via Getty Images)
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Members of the main crew of the 46/47 expedition to the International Space Station (ISS), Britain's astronaut Tim Peake (L), Russian cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko (C) and US astronaut Tim Kopra pose after a press conference at the Russian-leased Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on December 14, 2015. 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 is scheduled to blast off to the ISS on December 15, 2015. AFP PHOTO / KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP / KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV (Photo credit should read KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV via Getty Images)
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Members of the main crew of the 46/47 expedition to the International Space Station (ISS), Britain's astronaut Tim Peake (C), Russian cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko (L) and US astronaut Tim Kopra attend a press conference at the Russian-leased Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on December 14, 2015. 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 is scheduled to blast off to the ISS on December 15, 2015. AFP PHOTO / KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP / KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV (Photo credit should read KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV via Getty Images)
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BAIKONUR, KAZAKHSTAN - DECEMBER 13: In this handout from NASA, The Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft is rolled out by train to the launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome on December 13, 2015 in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz is scheduled for December 15 and will send Expedition 46 Soyuz Commander Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), Flight Engineer Tim Kopra of NASA, and Flight Engineer Tim Peake of ESA (European Space Agency) to the International Space Station for a six-month stay. (Photo by Joel Kowsky/NASA via Getty Images) (credit:NASA via Getty Images)
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BAIKONUR, KAZAKHSTAN - DECEMBER 13: In this handout from European Space Agency (ESA), The Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft is rolled out to the launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome on December 13, 2015 in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Soyuz TMA-19M is scheduled to launch on December 15 carrying crew members Soyuz Commander Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), Flight Engineer Tim Kopra of NASA, and Flight Engineer Tim Peake of ESA (European Space Agency) to the International Space Station for a six-month mission, as part of Expedition 46. (Photo by Stephane Corvaja/ESA via Getty Images) (credit:Handout via Getty Images)
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BAIKONUR, KAZAKHSTAN - DECEMBER 13: In this handout from European Space Agency (ESA), The Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft is moved into vertical position on the launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome on December 13, 2015 in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Soyuz TMA-19M is scheduled to launch on December 15 carrying crew members Soyuz Commander Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), Flight Engineer Tim Kopra of NASA, and Flight Engineer Tim Peake of ESA (European Space Agency) to the International Space Station for a six-month mission, as part of Expedition 46. (Photo by Stephane Corvaja/ESA via Getty Images) (credit:Handout via Getty Images)
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BAIKONUR, KAZAKHSTAN - DECEMBER 13: In this handout from NASA, The Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft is rolled out by train to the launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome on December 13, 2015 in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz is scheduled for December 15 and will send Expedition 46 Soyuz Commander Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), Flight Engineer Tim Kopra of NASA, and Flight Engineer Tim Peake of ESA (European Space Agency) to the International Space Station for a six-month stay. (Photo by Joel Kowsky/NASA via Getty Images) (credit:NASA via Getty Images)
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BAIKONUR, KAZAKHSTAN - DECEMBER 13: In this handout from European Space Agency (ESA), The Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft is moved into vertical position on the launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome on December 13, 2015 in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Soyuz TMA-19M is scheduled to launch on December 15 carrying crew members Soyuz Commander Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), Flight Engineer Tim Kopra of NASA, and Flight Engineer Tim Peake of ESA (European Space Agency) to the International Space Station for a six-month mission, as part of Expedition 46. (Photo by Stephane Corvaja/ESA via Getty Images) (credit:Handout via Getty Images)
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BAIKONUR, KAZAKHSTAN - DECEMBER 13: In this handout from NASA, The gantry arms begin to close around the Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft after it was raised into a vertical position on the launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome on December 13, 2015 in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz is scheduled for December 15 and will send Expedition 46 Soyuz Commander Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), Flight Engineer Tim Kopra of NASA, and Flight Engineer Tim Peake of ESA (European Space Agency) to the International Space Station for a six-month stay. (Photo by Joel Kowsky/NASA via Getty Images) (credit:NASA via Getty Images)
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BAIKONUR, KAZAKHSTAN - DECEMBER 13: In this handout from NASA, The Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft is rolled out by train to the launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome on December 13, 2015 in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz is scheduled for December 15 and will send Expedition 46 Soyuz Commander Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), Flight Engineer Tim Kopra of NASA, and Flight Engineer Tim Peake of ESA (European Space Agency) to the International Space Station for a six-month stay. (Photo by Joel Kowsky/NASA via Getty Images) (credit:NASA via Getty Images)
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The Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft is mounted on a launch pad at the Russian-leased Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan early on December 13, 2015. 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 is scheduled to blast off to the ISS on December 15, 2015. AFP PHOTO / KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP / KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV (Photo credit should read KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV via Getty Images)
Expedition 46 Soyuz Rollout(54 of54)
BAIKONUR, KAZAKHSTAN - DECEMBER 13: In this handout from NASA, The Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft is seen as it is raised into a vertical position on the launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome on December 13, 2015 in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz is scheduled for December 15 and will send Expedition 46 Soyuz Commander Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), Flight Engineer Tim Kopra of NASA, and Flight Engineer Tim Peake of ESA (European Space Agency) to the International Space Station for a six-month stay. (Photo by Joel Kowsky/NASA via Getty Images) (credit:NASA via Getty Images)
Major Peake is the first Briton to join the crew of the International Space Station (ISS). He is also the first fully British professional astronaut to be employed by a space agency.
Previous "Brits in space" have either been US citizens or had dual citizenship, or been on privately funded or sponsored trips.
Major Peake is employed by the European Space Agency (Esa) and sports a Union Flag on his sleeve.
The launch is scheduled for 11.03am UK time.
Can I Follow Tim On Social Media?
If there's one thing we know for sure, it's that astronauts make amazing people to follow on social media. ISS commander Scott Kelly dazzled us with his stunning array of videos and pictures which were uploaded to Instagram and Twitter.
Expect more of the same, in fact, Tim has already started so get following now:
- Twitter: @astro_timpeake
- Instagram: astro_timpeake
- Facebook: ESATimPeake
- Flickr: timpeake
- Blog: astro_timpeake