ASTRONAUT
TIM PEAKE
COUNTS DOWN TO LIFT OFF ON LATEST TOUR
– BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND
SOUTHEND, CLIFFS PAVILION
SUN 14 SEPT
Matinee Performance
TIM PEAKE TO TAKE AUDIENCES ON A QUEST THROUGH SPACE WITH HIS LATEST OUT OF THIS WORLD TOUR
TIM PEAKE
COUNTS DOWN TO LIFT OFF ON LATEST TOUR
– BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND
SOUTHEND, CLIFFS PAVILION
SUN 14 SEPT
Matinee Performance
TIM PEAKE TO TAKE AUDIENCES ON A QUEST THROUGH SPACE WITH HIS LATEST OUT OF THIS WORLD TOUR
British astronaut Tim Peake will blast off across the country this autumn bringing the awe and wonder of space travel past, present and future to audiences with his latest tour.
Tim made history in 2015 when he became the first British astronaut to visit the International Space Station (ISS), where he spent six months living and working in space, completing a spacewalk and even running a marathon.
And now he’s looking forward to a potential return to space, as part of a commercially sponsored, UK mission which could see him return to the ISS.
His tour, Astronauts: The Quest To Explore Space brings to life the adventures of astronauts in a celebration of human spaceflight and gives a fascinating insight into what lies ahead.
“It’s like the greatest hits of space exploration, with amazing footage and behind the scenes stories of what it’s really like to leave our planet,” Tim said.
The tour follows his debut My Journey To Space in 2021-2023, where Tim told his personal story of space flight.
But in Astronauts: The Quest To Explore Space, which debuted in autumn 2024, he will look back on the broader history of human space exploration – jetting across England, Scotland and Wales to 28 new venues, due to huge popular demand, in September and October.
Tickets are on sale now from nothird.co.uk/live-shows/tim-peake or direct from venues.
“This tour is fast-paced, fun and entertaining,” Tim promises. “It showcases the extraordinary endeavour of human spaceflight; the excitement, the drama, the highs and lows, right from the early days of the 1950s, through to the current Artemis program to return to the Moon, and beyond to the first human mission to Mars.
“My previous tour was very much my own personal story. But there are around 650 people who have been into space – and this tour allows me to share some of their many amazing stories of human spaceflight. Looking back at the amazing endeavours through the years to create this show has been incredible.
“I am so honoured to have experienced the wonders of space travel myself, and yet it still continues to amaze me just how much space inspires and fascinates people of all ages – and the show’s Q&A section proves that every single night. I love that part, but it’s also slightly terrifying as you never know what people are going to ask”.
While the tour reflects on space stories from the past, Tim is also focussed on his own possible future exploration.
The UK Space Agency was approached in 2023 by Axiom Space – a US-based company offering commercial space travel, which is currently working on the first commercial space station as a replacement for the ISS – to support their ambitions for an all-UK mission.
This short-duration mission would be focused on scientific research, technology demonstrations and educational outreach, with potential applicants having already been invited to pitch research projects for the mission.
“Axiom’s project is hugely exciting with so many potential benefits for the UK, and I’m delighted to be involved ,” Tim said.
“Would I like to go back to the ISS if there was a chance with Axiom? Absolutely – I don’t know of any astronaut who wouldn’t want another mission to space. It’s just an incredible experience.
“I am also delighted that we are looking to get more British astronauts their wings. There are huge opportunities in the rapidly growing space sector, and it’s important that the UK is properly represented. It’s an amazing opportunity and gives security to the future of human spaceflight for the UK, to be part of missions going forwards.”
The Axiom Space mission will be the first commercially-sponsored space flight, meaning no cost to the UK taxpayer, and it’s hoped it will open doors to further commercial partnerships and whet the appetite for space sponsorship in the future.
“Space touches all our lives in many different ways, from climate monitoring, communications, and navigation to financial transactions, agriculture and disaster response,” Tim explains.
“Most companies are reliant on some form of space-based technology today and there is huge scope for private investment. It’s new territory, but we hope to make it work.”
Tim had announced his retirement from the European Space Agency (ESA) early in 2023, but within months talk had started around the Axiom mission. His retirement came about through both personal and professional reasons, as well as wanting to open new career opportunities.
“I retired from ESA as it was a time we needed to focus on having a stable family base – my sons were approaching their exam years,” Tim explained. “We had some amazing years in Germany and Houston with great opportunities, but the time had come to settle in the UK for a while.
“Working for ESA is an incredible experience but, as with many organisations, there are certain restraints which come with that status. Retiring from their astronaut corps enabled me to do more advisory work, more charity and outreach work and to engage with the commercial space industry. However, I’m still an ambassador for ESA and maintain close ties with them.”
Tim’s excitement and passion around all things space as well as STEM education (science, technology, engineering and maths) shows no sign of waning, especially given the expansion of commercial space exploration alongside the government-led agencies such as NASA, ESA and UKSA.
“The prospect of an all-UK mission is a hugely exciting opportunity for science and technology companies, and for education and outreach,” he adds.
“The impact of my ESA mission in 2015 was reaching and engaging with 2million school children, and with more Brits going to the ISS together we can do even more.
“This would showcase some of the cutting-edge science that the UK is involved in, in areas such as AI, quantum technology, biological engineering, advanced manufacturing and more.
“But more importantly, it’s a new realm of collaboration and cooperation with our international partners in a post-Brexit environment.”
So what does life look like now?
“An average week, if there is such a thing, sees me spinning a lot of plates and hoping I don’t drop too many of them!” Tim laughs. “I’ve had a dramatic career change once before when I went from being a test pilot to astronaut training and this has been a similar shift in focus.
“I’m an ambassador for The King’s Trust, Scouts, STEM Learning and Great Ormond Street Hospital, as causes very close to my heart, and I also work as an ambassador for the UK Space Agency and ESA for certain activities and events.
“I’ve recently also become an ambassador for King Charles’s Astra Carta initiative, looking at how we can use space sustainably and responsibly, so that we can all benefit from the opportunities space has to offer whilst protecting it for future generations.
“I’ve enjoyed writing several books, for both adults and children and presented a TV documentary on the Secrets of Our Universe – and have especially enjoyed the opportunities to tour the country with my own shows!
“Realistically, with a career like this you don’t ever completely retire. I have been to events like the STARMUS Festival a few years ago, where I had the privilege to meet several of the Apollo astronauts – from Charlie Duke to Buzz Aldrin. They are still out there promoting science, space and exploration and I hope I’ll do the same.
“Travelling to space gives you a unique perspective and I still enjoy sharing it.”
These are momentous times for the space industry. While a moonwalk is on the cards for the Artemis 3 crew in 2027, and work is ongoing towards a crewed mission to Mars, some of the most exciting work will have impacts much closer to home in the coming years.
“We have occupied the ISS for nearly 25 years now – and it is essentially a giant science lab,” Tim explains about the research taking place in orbit. “There are components in modern mobile phones which were first tested on the ISS.
“But we’re getting more specialist in the science taking place there now. There is more targeted pharmaceutical research as companies realise the potential available to them. For example, growing protein crystals in space for motor neurone and Parkinson’s diseases could lead to much better treatments for these conditions.
“We’re at the stage where space can become a manufacturing hub for all sorts of things, which can then be brought back down to earth.
“There are things you can build in space which can’t be built on earth, because of the effects of gravity, and with costs coming down we can also think about large scale manufacturing in space.
“There are attempts to grow human tissue and organs such as a heart on Earth, using bio ink and 3D printers. The problem is that small structures collapse due to gravity and need some sort of scaffolding. It’s not very effective. But in space, you can 3D print human organs more easily, because there is no gravity causing them to collapse in on themselves.
“It sounds like the wildest science fiction, but it really is science fact and it’s where we are at right now. Five to 10 years and we could be printing full-size human organs in space that could be a feasible transplant option for patients. And that’s when space research starts to mean something very real for people on Earth.
“The potential is only just now being unlocked – and with the shift from purely government-funded research to commercially-funded opportunities, there is greater competition to achieve results.
“Of course, there is the caveat question: Should we send lots of rockets up into space? When we think about the debris from launches and space pollution. But many space companies, some of whom I am working with, are also out there focusing on that clean-up effort, the removal of space debris and creating cleaner, more efficient rocket fuel.”
While all these prospects for the future of space travel are without doubt exciting, what most drives Tim’s enthusiasm is the power of inspiration.
Some of the scientists and engineers coming through now were teenagers inspired by his Principia mission – which has created a huge legacy for the British space industry.
“It’s easy to be inspired by space,” he said. “You go to a conference, meet companies doing incredible things. I can’t help but be inspired still by the potential future opportunities.
“The legacy I’m most proud of from my mission is without doubt the inspiration for future generations. When I go to schools and colleges, it’s amazing to see older students saying ‘I remember watching you launch and you inspired me to go off and follow these subjects’.
“It’s a huge privilege to have a platform that allows you to inspire people. Space is a place where we can all wonder and dream.”
For more information and to purchase tickets go to nothird.co.uk/live-shows/tim-peake
Tim made history in 2015 when he became the first British astronaut to visit the International Space Station (ISS), where he spent six months living and working in space, completing a spacewalk and even running a marathon.
And now he’s looking forward to a potential return to space, as part of a commercially sponsored, UK mission which could see him return to the ISS.
His tour, Astronauts: The Quest To Explore Space brings to life the adventures of astronauts in a celebration of human spaceflight and gives a fascinating insight into what lies ahead.
“It’s like the greatest hits of space exploration, with amazing footage and behind the scenes stories of what it’s really like to leave our planet,” Tim said.
The tour follows his debut My Journey To Space in 2021-2023, where Tim told his personal story of space flight.
But in Astronauts: The Quest To Explore Space, which debuted in autumn 2024, he will look back on the broader history of human space exploration – jetting across England, Scotland and Wales to 28 new venues, due to huge popular demand, in September and October.
Tickets are on sale now from nothird.co.uk/live-shows/tim-peake or direct from venues.
“This tour is fast-paced, fun and entertaining,” Tim promises. “It showcases the extraordinary endeavour of human spaceflight; the excitement, the drama, the highs and lows, right from the early days of the 1950s, through to the current Artemis program to return to the Moon, and beyond to the first human mission to Mars.
“My previous tour was very much my own personal story. But there are around 650 people who have been into space – and this tour allows me to share some of their many amazing stories of human spaceflight. Looking back at the amazing endeavours through the years to create this show has been incredible.
“I am so honoured to have experienced the wonders of space travel myself, and yet it still continues to amaze me just how much space inspires and fascinates people of all ages – and the show’s Q&A section proves that every single night. I love that part, but it’s also slightly terrifying as you never know what people are going to ask”.
While the tour reflects on space stories from the past, Tim is also focussed on his own possible future exploration.
The UK Space Agency was approached in 2023 by Axiom Space – a US-based company offering commercial space travel, which is currently working on the first commercial space station as a replacement for the ISS – to support their ambitions for an all-UK mission.
This short-duration mission would be focused on scientific research, technology demonstrations and educational outreach, with potential applicants having already been invited to pitch research projects for the mission.
“Axiom’s project is hugely exciting with so many potential benefits for the UK, and I’m delighted to be involved ,” Tim said.
“Would I like to go back to the ISS if there was a chance with Axiom? Absolutely – I don’t know of any astronaut who wouldn’t want another mission to space. It’s just an incredible experience.
“I am also delighted that we are looking to get more British astronauts their wings. There are huge opportunities in the rapidly growing space sector, and it’s important that the UK is properly represented. It’s an amazing opportunity and gives security to the future of human spaceflight for the UK, to be part of missions going forwards.”
The Axiom Space mission will be the first commercially-sponsored space flight, meaning no cost to the UK taxpayer, and it’s hoped it will open doors to further commercial partnerships and whet the appetite for space sponsorship in the future.
“Space touches all our lives in many different ways, from climate monitoring, communications, and navigation to financial transactions, agriculture and disaster response,” Tim explains.
“Most companies are reliant on some form of space-based technology today and there is huge scope for private investment. It’s new territory, but we hope to make it work.”
Tim had announced his retirement from the European Space Agency (ESA) early in 2023, but within months talk had started around the Axiom mission. His retirement came about through both personal and professional reasons, as well as wanting to open new career opportunities.
“I retired from ESA as it was a time we needed to focus on having a stable family base – my sons were approaching their exam years,” Tim explained. “We had some amazing years in Germany and Houston with great opportunities, but the time had come to settle in the UK for a while.
“Working for ESA is an incredible experience but, as with many organisations, there are certain restraints which come with that status. Retiring from their astronaut corps enabled me to do more advisory work, more charity and outreach work and to engage with the commercial space industry. However, I’m still an ambassador for ESA and maintain close ties with them.”
Tim’s excitement and passion around all things space as well as STEM education (science, technology, engineering and maths) shows no sign of waning, especially given the expansion of commercial space exploration alongside the government-led agencies such as NASA, ESA and UKSA.
“The prospect of an all-UK mission is a hugely exciting opportunity for science and technology companies, and for education and outreach,” he adds.
“The impact of my ESA mission in 2015 was reaching and engaging with 2million school children, and with more Brits going to the ISS together we can do even more.
“This would showcase some of the cutting-edge science that the UK is involved in, in areas such as AI, quantum technology, biological engineering, advanced manufacturing and more.
“But more importantly, it’s a new realm of collaboration and cooperation with our international partners in a post-Brexit environment.”
So what does life look like now?
“An average week, if there is such a thing, sees me spinning a lot of plates and hoping I don’t drop too many of them!” Tim laughs. “I’ve had a dramatic career change once before when I went from being a test pilot to astronaut training and this has been a similar shift in focus.
“I’m an ambassador for The King’s Trust, Scouts, STEM Learning and Great Ormond Street Hospital, as causes very close to my heart, and I also work as an ambassador for the UK Space Agency and ESA for certain activities and events.
“I’ve recently also become an ambassador for King Charles’s Astra Carta initiative, looking at how we can use space sustainably and responsibly, so that we can all benefit from the opportunities space has to offer whilst protecting it for future generations.
“I’ve enjoyed writing several books, for both adults and children and presented a TV documentary on the Secrets of Our Universe – and have especially enjoyed the opportunities to tour the country with my own shows!
“Realistically, with a career like this you don’t ever completely retire. I have been to events like the STARMUS Festival a few years ago, where I had the privilege to meet several of the Apollo astronauts – from Charlie Duke to Buzz Aldrin. They are still out there promoting science, space and exploration and I hope I’ll do the same.
“Travelling to space gives you a unique perspective and I still enjoy sharing it.”
These are momentous times for the space industry. While a moonwalk is on the cards for the Artemis 3 crew in 2027, and work is ongoing towards a crewed mission to Mars, some of the most exciting work will have impacts much closer to home in the coming years.
“We have occupied the ISS for nearly 25 years now – and it is essentially a giant science lab,” Tim explains about the research taking place in orbit. “There are components in modern mobile phones which were first tested on the ISS.
“But we’re getting more specialist in the science taking place there now. There is more targeted pharmaceutical research as companies realise the potential available to them. For example, growing protein crystals in space for motor neurone and Parkinson’s diseases could lead to much better treatments for these conditions.
“We’re at the stage where space can become a manufacturing hub for all sorts of things, which can then be brought back down to earth.
“There are things you can build in space which can’t be built on earth, because of the effects of gravity, and with costs coming down we can also think about large scale manufacturing in space.
“There are attempts to grow human tissue and organs such as a heart on Earth, using bio ink and 3D printers. The problem is that small structures collapse due to gravity and need some sort of scaffolding. It’s not very effective. But in space, you can 3D print human organs more easily, because there is no gravity causing them to collapse in on themselves.
“It sounds like the wildest science fiction, but it really is science fact and it’s where we are at right now. Five to 10 years and we could be printing full-size human organs in space that could be a feasible transplant option for patients. And that’s when space research starts to mean something very real for people on Earth.
“The potential is only just now being unlocked – and with the shift from purely government-funded research to commercially-funded opportunities, there is greater competition to achieve results.
“Of course, there is the caveat question: Should we send lots of rockets up into space? When we think about the debris from launches and space pollution. But many space companies, some of whom I am working with, are also out there focusing on that clean-up effort, the removal of space debris and creating cleaner, more efficient rocket fuel.”
While all these prospects for the future of space travel are without doubt exciting, what most drives Tim’s enthusiasm is the power of inspiration.
Some of the scientists and engineers coming through now were teenagers inspired by his Principia mission – which has created a huge legacy for the British space industry.
“It’s easy to be inspired by space,” he said. “You go to a conference, meet companies doing incredible things. I can’t help but be inspired still by the potential future opportunities.
“The legacy I’m most proud of from my mission is without doubt the inspiration for future generations. When I go to schools and colleges, it’s amazing to see older students saying ‘I remember watching you launch and you inspired me to go off and follow these subjects’.
“It’s a huge privilege to have a platform that allows you to inspire people. Space is a place where we can all wonder and dream.”
For more information and to purchase tickets go to nothird.co.uk/live-shows/tim-peake
Tim Peake is a former Apache pilot, flight instructor, test pilot and European Space Agency astronaut. Tim attended Chichester High School for Boys. During this time he was also a member of the combined cadet force, before joining the Army as an Air Cops Officer. A veteran of 18 years’ military service, Tim has flown more than 3,000 hours in 30 different types of helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft in operations worldwide. In December 2015, Tim became the first British ESA astronaut to visit the International Space Station and conduct a spacewalk during his six-month mission. He also ran the London Marathon in space. Tim’s mission engaged more than 2million students through outreach activities. He is an ambassador for STEM education, The Prince’s Trust and The Scout Association. Tim is married to Rebecca and has two sons.
TIM PEAKE – Astronauts: The Quest To Explore Space full dates:
Sept 1 – Inverness Eden Court
Sept 2 – Inverness Eden Court
Sept 3 – Aberdeen Music Hall
Sept 4 – Dunfermline Alhambra Theatre
Sept 6 – Kendal Leisure Centre *
Sept 9 – Guildford G Live
Sept 10 – Guildford G Live
Sept 11 – Eastbourne Congress Theatre
Sept 12 – Basingstoke The Anvil
Sept 14 – Southend Cliffs Pavilion *
Sept 17 – Cheltenham Town Hall
Sept 18 – Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre
Sept 21 – Tunbridge Wells Assembly Hall *
Sept 22 – Northampton Royal & Derngate
Sept 23 – Buxton Opera House
Sept 24 – Stockton Globe
Sept 25 – Peterborough New Theatre
Sept 29 – Wolverhampton Grand Theatre
Sept 30 – Reading The Hexagon
Oct 1 – Fareham Live
Oct 2 – Weymouth Pavilion
Oct 4 – Oxford New Theatre *
Oct 5 – Aylesbury Waterside Theatre *
Oct 6 – Cardiff New Theatre
Oct 7 – High Wycombe Swan Theatre
Oct 8 – Worthing Assembly Hall
Oct 11 – Derby Becketwell Live *
Oct 12 – Chester Storyhouse *
Oct 13 – New Brighton Floral Pavilion
Oct 14 – Llandudno Venue Cymru
* Matinee performance
Sept 1 – Inverness Eden Court
Sept 2 – Inverness Eden Court
Sept 3 – Aberdeen Music Hall
Sept 4 – Dunfermline Alhambra Theatre
Sept 6 – Kendal Leisure Centre *
Sept 9 – Guildford G Live
Sept 10 – Guildford G Live
Sept 11 – Eastbourne Congress Theatre
Sept 12 – Basingstoke The Anvil
Sept 14 – Southend Cliffs Pavilion *
Sept 17 – Cheltenham Town Hall
Sept 18 – Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre
Sept 21 – Tunbridge Wells Assembly Hall *
Sept 22 – Northampton Royal & Derngate
Sept 23 – Buxton Opera House
Sept 24 – Stockton Globe
Sept 25 – Peterborough New Theatre
Sept 29 – Wolverhampton Grand Theatre
Sept 30 – Reading The Hexagon
Oct 1 – Fareham Live
Oct 2 – Weymouth Pavilion
Oct 4 – Oxford New Theatre *
Oct 5 – Aylesbury Waterside Theatre *
Oct 6 – Cardiff New Theatre
Oct 7 – High Wycombe Swan Theatre
Oct 8 – Worthing Assembly Hall
Oct 11 – Derby Becketwell Live *
Oct 12 – Chester Storyhouse *
Oct 13 – New Brighton Floral Pavilion
Oct 14 – Llandudno Venue Cymru
* Matinee performance