0:00:03 > 0:00:06In just 30 minutes from now, Tim Peake will blast off from Earth
0:00:06 > 0:00:09and become the first British astronaut
0:00:09 > 0:00:11on the International Space Station.
0:00:17 > 0:00:20And we also have pictures from inside the rocket.
0:00:20 > 0:00:24For Tim and his crewmates, the wait is almost over.
0:00:24 > 0:00:27Now, former commander of the International Space Station,
0:00:27 > 0:00:29Chris Hadfield, is with us.
0:00:29 > 0:00:32As we count down to launch, he's Dara O Briain, I am Brian Cox,
0:00:32 > 0:00:35this is Blast Off Live: A Stargazing Special.
0:01:04 > 0:01:08Welcome to the Science Museum in London and welcome to all the
0:01:08 > 0:01:13children and their teachers who've joined us here to cheer Tim on.
0:01:13 > 0:01:16Hello to all the children watching in schools all around the country.
0:01:16 > 0:01:17We'll be able to keep an eye on Tim
0:01:17 > 0:01:20and his crewmates throughout the show, with access
0:01:20 > 0:01:25to all the European Space Agency's cameras - even inside the rocket.
0:01:25 > 0:01:29We should even be able to see him during the launch itself
0:01:29 > 0:01:32as he's travelling through the sky at more than 8,000mph.
0:01:32 > 0:01:34And this is where Tim Peake is heading,
0:01:34 > 0:01:36the International Space Station.
0:01:36 > 0:01:40It's a laboratory in space that's bigger than a football pitch,
0:01:40 > 0:01:44and these are pictures now from the space station as it orbits
0:01:44 > 0:01:46the Earth at 250 miles up.
0:01:46 > 0:01:49Right now it's just off the coast of West Africa.
0:01:49 > 0:01:53Tim will be enjoying great views of the Earth when he gets up there
0:01:53 > 0:01:56but also he's got a lot of science to do.
0:01:56 > 0:01:58There's just half an hour before he takes off.
0:01:58 > 0:02:02Our own Dallas Campbell is at the launch site in Kazakhstan.
0:02:02 > 0:02:06Dallas, there's lots of excitement here. How is everyone feeling there?
0:02:07 > 0:02:12We are absolutely so excited.
0:02:12 > 0:02:15Welcome from the Baikonur Cosmodrome.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18Here on the frozen steppes of Kazakhstan
0:02:18 > 0:02:21you can see the rocket behind me.
0:02:21 > 0:02:25It's an absolutely beautiful day here, clear skies, very cold,
0:02:25 > 0:02:28and as the sun goes down, as it begins to get a little darker,
0:02:28 > 0:02:32that rocket is going to look fantastic. You've got the best seats
0:02:32 > 0:02:35in the house apart from the three over there.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38Thank you, Dallas. We'll be back with Dallas shortly.
0:02:38 > 0:02:40Now, set your watches for this one,
0:02:40 > 0:02:43cos the launch takes place at 11:03 and ten seconds
0:02:43 > 0:02:47and has a tendency to go bang on time. Here's our countdown clock.
0:02:47 > 0:02:51We can see there we have just under 30 minutes to go.
0:02:51 > 0:02:54We're very lucky because joining us is a man who knows more about
0:02:54 > 0:02:56space travel than most of us.
0:02:56 > 0:02:59He's been to space three times and helped build the space station
0:02:59 > 0:03:03and he also made himself famous around the world for doing this...
0:03:03 > 0:03:08# This is ground control to Major Tom
0:03:08 > 0:03:12# You've really made the grade
0:03:13 > 0:03:16# And the papers want to know
0:03:16 > 0:03:18# Whose shirts you wear... #
0:03:18 > 0:03:22- Chris, welcome to Stargazing. - I'm really pleased to be with you.
0:03:22 > 0:03:25Live pictures here, 30 minutes to launch.
0:03:25 > 0:03:27Tim is sat in there with his colleagues.
0:03:27 > 0:03:29What's going through his mind now?
0:03:29 > 0:03:33Tim is sitting right in there, just tucked in, laying on his back.
0:03:33 > 0:03:37He's thinking so much about the machine, about his job,
0:03:37 > 0:03:42about all the important technical events that are about to happen.
0:03:42 > 0:03:46But he's also, you know, he's just a kid from Chichester -
0:03:46 > 0:03:48he's as excited as a person can be,
0:03:48 > 0:03:52he's got this little boy bubbling up in his head at the same time,
0:03:52 > 0:03:56so he's this cool, calm, experienced military test pilot,
0:03:56 > 0:03:58but this is the biggest day of his life.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01Well, Chris, we're going to be talking to you all the way through,
0:04:01 > 0:04:05and during that launch. We've also got some more space legends here -
0:04:05 > 0:04:08over there ready to watch Tim's launch, the first ever British
0:04:08 > 0:04:12astronaut Helen Sharman, and that there is Alexey Leonov,
0:04:12 > 0:04:16a space legend, the first space walk.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19The legend is, well, actually, his spacesuit inflated,
0:04:19 > 0:04:21he couldn't get back into the capsule,
0:04:21 > 0:04:24he had the presence of mind to let a little air out to pop back in,
0:04:24 > 0:04:26so that's one of the great astronauts of all time.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29We'll be chatting to Helen at seven o'clock this evening
0:04:29 > 0:04:30over on BBC Two.
0:04:30 > 0:04:34And amongst the children we have joining us today is Newsround's
0:04:34 > 0:04:36Leah Boleto. This is a pretty good school trip for them,
0:04:36 > 0:04:40and some of them even get to taste astronaut food later.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43Now, Tim Peake is about to fulfil a lifelong dream,
0:04:43 > 0:04:45but what does it take
0:04:45 > 0:04:48to have the right stuff for that trip into space?
0:04:51 > 0:04:52My name is Tim Peake.
0:04:52 > 0:04:57I'm 41. A father. Two children. Married.
0:04:57 > 0:05:01A very ordinary background and I guess I'm just an ordinary person
0:05:01 > 0:05:04who's really fortunate enough to do an extraordinary job.
0:05:07 > 0:05:09It's the first time that Britain has had an astronaut
0:05:09 > 0:05:12with the European Space Agency in a sort of formal official capacity.
0:05:12 > 0:05:14So it's great for the UK.
0:05:17 > 0:05:22Flying was always my passion, from about the age of 13 onwards.
0:05:22 > 0:05:26I just loved that element of flying an aircraft, feeling the elements.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29I think that's why I pursued a career as a test pilot.
0:05:29 > 0:05:32I actually applied to be an astronaut
0:05:32 > 0:05:37because I saw the online advert from the European Space Agency
0:05:37 > 0:05:40and it really was a case of right time, right place.
0:05:42 > 0:05:46I spoke to my wife about it but in a fairly off-hand fashion and said,
0:05:46 > 0:05:49"Hey, I'd really like to give this a go."
0:05:49 > 0:05:53I was one of 10,000 who had submitted their online application
0:05:53 > 0:05:54forms to the Space Agency.
0:05:56 > 0:05:58Six were chosen.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02The selection process for astronauts doesn't come around very often,
0:06:02 > 0:06:05maybe once every ten years.
0:06:05 > 0:06:08To have the right qualifications and be in the right age group
0:06:08 > 0:06:12with the right operational experience behind me just at the
0:06:12 > 0:06:16time when the European astronaut selection process started...
0:06:16 > 0:06:19I constantly remind myself how lucky I am.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22- BRIAN:- Chris, I know you know Tim very well,
0:06:22 > 0:06:24you helped with his training, I think.
0:06:24 > 0:06:28He's the archetypal astronaut - a test pilot.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31But we've also had scientists, medical doctors,
0:06:31 > 0:06:35so what are the things that you look for in an astronaut?
0:06:35 > 0:06:38Well, when he saw that advert in the newspaper,
0:06:38 > 0:06:40they're looking for three things.
0:06:40 > 0:06:44Number one is a very healthy body, cos six months on the space station
0:06:44 > 0:06:47where you can't ever go see a doctor.
0:06:47 > 0:06:51Number two is the ability to learn complicated things,
0:06:51 > 0:06:55so an advanced technical education, at least a masters.
0:06:55 > 0:07:00And then the third is a proven ability to make good decisions
0:07:00 > 0:07:03when the consequences matter.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06So that's why we hire medical doctors or test pilots.
0:07:06 > 0:07:10He's proven his ability when the chips are down to be able to make
0:07:10 > 0:07:14- the right call. That's what got him in the door.- We've got footage now.
0:07:14 > 0:07:16I think this is just from a few minutes ago.
0:07:16 > 0:07:1725 minutes to launch.
0:07:17 > 0:07:21He looks very relaxed, actually, he's just sat there not doing a lot.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24Is there not a lot to do at this point?
0:07:24 > 0:07:27He's wearing his gear, he's got all the checklists here beside him,
0:07:27 > 0:07:32he's got his key checklist on his knee, he's focusing on,
0:07:32 > 0:07:34"What is the next thing that's going to happen?"
0:07:34 > 0:07:37Make sure he's ready for that step in the checklist,
0:07:37 > 0:07:39and a contributing member of the crew.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42Now, Tim's launch takes place about 3,000 miles away from the UK,
0:07:42 > 0:07:46at Russia's rocket launch site in Kazakhstan.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49It's a spaceport called the Baikonur Cosmodrome.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52Dallas Campbell has spent the last few days there watching preparations
0:07:52 > 0:07:55and, Dallas, it's a place full of history, isn't it?
0:07:58 > 0:08:04It certainly is, Dara. It is such a privilege to be standing here.
0:08:04 > 0:08:08Anybody who knows their space history, particularly Russian
0:08:08 > 0:08:10space history, will know about the Baikonur Cosmodrome
0:08:10 > 0:08:13because it's right here, literally on that launch pad,
0:08:13 > 0:08:16that the Space Race began.
0:08:16 > 0:08:20Sputnik, the world's first artificial satellite,
0:08:20 > 0:08:22was launched in 1957.
0:08:22 > 0:08:24That set the whole ball rolling.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27And then after the Sputnik launches, we got into Vostok,
0:08:27 > 0:08:31so we got Gagarin, the first man in space in 1961,
0:08:31 > 0:08:34Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman in space in '63.
0:08:34 > 0:08:37All of the astronauts - Helen Sharman, of course,
0:08:37 > 0:08:40who's with you, we'll see her later tonight -
0:08:40 > 0:08:43she launched from here as well. So...
0:08:43 > 0:08:47Today has been a special day, I think, particularly following Tim.
0:08:47 > 0:08:51I had the chance to follow him and his entourage all morning
0:08:51 > 0:08:53and we have a little film for you to see now.
0:08:53 > 0:08:56So here we are, the morning of the launch.
0:08:56 > 0:08:59The excitement is building, the moment is finally upon us.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02The astronauts will have spent the night in that hotel behind me
0:09:02 > 0:09:05in quarantine and in a few minutes they're going to come down here
0:09:05 > 0:09:08and then board those buses to take them to the Cosmodrome
0:09:08 > 0:09:11for the suiting-up process, and then on to the launch pad.
0:09:14 > 0:09:18So here they are. Yuri Malenchenko in the middle.
0:09:18 > 0:09:20Next to him, Tim Peake.
0:09:20 > 0:09:23On the other side, Tim Kopra, the American astronaut.
0:09:25 > 0:09:26Good luck, Tim!
0:09:28 > 0:09:29TIM: Thank you.
0:09:30 > 0:09:33- How do you feel?- Fantastic. Really good, we're ready.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40Fantastic. The families now pressing their hands against the glass.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43That's Yuri Malenchenko's daughter up there.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46All the kids waving them off.
0:09:46 > 0:09:48There are some vital checks that need doing,
0:09:48 > 0:09:53so next stop is Building 254 on the Cosmodrome for suit-up.
0:09:53 > 0:09:57Tim's just having the pressure checks done on his spacesuit.
0:09:57 > 0:09:59These are the suits they wear on board the Soyuz spacecraft
0:09:59 > 0:10:02in that very position, which is why they always look a little bit
0:10:02 > 0:10:04too small when they're standing up straight,
0:10:04 > 0:10:08cos they're designed to be in that lying down, crouched position.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:10:11 > 0:10:13Go, Tim!
0:10:14 > 0:10:17This is the bus that's going to take them to the launch pad.
0:10:19 > 0:10:20Lovely.
0:10:22 > 0:10:26DARA: These are the shots from earlier this morning of Tim
0:10:26 > 0:10:31and the other two astronauts climbing aboard the rocket.
0:10:31 > 0:10:35And one last wave for their families before they're off.
0:10:35 > 0:10:38Chris, we saw that picture of Tim's children
0:10:38 > 0:10:42pressing their hands on the glass - it must be a very emotional time...
0:10:42 > 0:10:44There they are, actually.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47It must be an emotional time for the family.
0:10:47 > 0:10:50It is, it's something you've prepared for
0:10:50 > 0:10:55but you recognise how important this day is in your lives.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58It has the potential to be magnificent with the rocket
0:10:58 > 0:11:02launching into space and starting a great adventure,
0:11:02 > 0:11:05but it's also not without risk and that's very much in the mind,
0:11:05 > 0:11:08especially of the people on the ground. They feel helpless.
0:11:08 > 0:11:12On board the rocket you at least have a hand in your own destiny.
0:11:12 > 0:11:13For the families it's tough.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16And you've spent time with families of other astronauts,
0:11:16 > 0:11:19you obviously don't know precisely what your family were going through.
0:11:19 > 0:11:21Well, they must have talked to you about it.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24Yeah, I've stood with other families there at the Baikonur Cosmodrome,
0:11:24 > 0:11:27listening to the Russian countdown to launch
0:11:27 > 0:11:31and, as the astronauts, you're thinking how to support them
0:11:31 > 0:11:34if things go well, how to support them if things go badly,
0:11:34 > 0:11:36making sure you have a plan.
0:11:36 > 0:11:40But mostly not wanting to diminish their joy. It's a joyous day.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43The one quote that we had this morning
0:11:43 > 0:11:47is from Tim's four-year-old son, who said, "I want to go with Daddy."
0:11:47 > 0:11:50And that was the quote we had from the family this morning.
0:11:50 > 0:11:53- We all want to go with Daddy. - Yes, exactly.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56Tim has had a lifelong passion for flight and space.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59Now he wants to use his mission to inspire a generation of young people
0:11:59 > 0:12:01to get interested in science.
0:12:01 > 0:12:05Newsround's Leah Boleto is with a group of schoolchildren now. Leah.
0:12:05 > 0:12:08Personally, I would love the opportunity to go into space
0:12:08 > 0:12:12but what about you lot? Would you like to go to space?
0:12:12 > 0:12:14KIDS: Yeah!
0:12:14 > 0:12:16Yeah, I thought so.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19I've got Mario here, Cherise,
0:12:19 > 0:12:23and Abdulla and they're going to try some genuine space food
0:12:23 > 0:12:26that Tim Peake will experience when he heads to the ISS.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29So tuck in, guys. Let me know what you think.
0:12:29 > 0:12:32They're not that confident with it so far.
0:12:32 > 0:12:34Have a little try, tuck in.
0:12:34 > 0:12:36Oh, no, they're not sure.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39OK, Mario - look at that face on Mario.
0:12:39 > 0:12:41Mario, what does it taste like? Tell me.
0:12:42 > 0:12:44Not very good.
0:12:44 > 0:12:46Oh, OK, so that's not very good.
0:12:46 > 0:12:51- That's actually pumpkin and celery puree. Not a fan?- No.
0:12:51 > 0:12:55OK. Poor Cherise. Have you tried it? What do you think it is?
0:12:55 > 0:12:59It's, like, beany and... it's not very nice, it's dry.
0:12:59 > 0:13:04- OK, well, that is vegetable soup. Not a fan?- No.
0:13:04 > 0:13:08OK, Abdulla, you look like you've got the best one, what do you think?
0:13:08 > 0:13:10It tastes of cardboard!
0:13:10 > 0:13:13Oh, cardboard. That is a berry and chocolate snack bar.
0:13:13 > 0:13:17What do you think, guys, a fan of space food or not?
0:13:17 > 0:13:19- No.- Not a fan.- Not a fan.
0:13:19 > 0:13:23Well, if you do want to go into space, it isn't all about the food,
0:13:23 > 0:13:28because there is some pretty intense training. Take a look at this.
0:13:32 > 0:13:35TIM: There were many highlights of basic training.
0:13:35 > 0:13:38CHEERING
0:13:38 > 0:13:41I remember the first time I went on the parabolic flight...
0:13:42 > 0:13:45..going into zero gravity...
0:13:45 > 0:13:48and just experiencing what the body feels like.
0:13:48 > 0:13:50That was just incredible.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55To have a look at the centrifuge...
0:14:01 > 0:14:04..training in a neutral buoyancy facility...
0:14:04 > 0:14:06How's it in there, Tim?
0:14:06 > 0:14:10My left tether is locked to the D-ring extender gate...
0:14:11 > 0:14:15Right, safety divers, let's go and bring the subjects back.
0:14:15 > 0:14:16Thank you very much, guys.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22Going to Russia for the first time, going to Star City, of course.
0:14:22 > 0:14:26All the history and tradition surrounding Yuri Gagarin,
0:14:26 > 0:14:29Johnson Space Center - these are the places where astronauts
0:14:29 > 0:14:34and cosmonauts have trained for their missions since the '60s.
0:14:34 > 0:14:36It was wonderful to be part of that.
0:14:39 > 0:14:41The more you learn about space
0:14:41 > 0:14:44and what you're actually going to do and the spacecraft you're going to
0:14:44 > 0:14:46fly in, the environment you're going to live and work in,
0:14:46 > 0:14:48then the more fascinating it becomes.
0:14:48 > 0:14:52And so the desire to get there increases as well.
0:14:57 > 0:14:59DARA: It's just over 18 minutes to go
0:14:59 > 0:15:02and the excitement is palpable here in the Science Museum.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05Let's go back to Dallas at the Cosmodrome.
0:15:08 > 0:15:13Thanks, Dara. The terrifying thing here is we don't actually have
0:15:13 > 0:15:15a countdown clock so we don't know when it's going to be,
0:15:15 > 0:15:17so I'm relying on my watch.
0:15:17 > 0:15:2217:03 and ten seconds local time
0:15:22 > 0:15:25is when that is going to lift off. In fact, last time I was here,
0:15:25 > 0:15:27we nearly missed it.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30It's worth reminding ourselves that that rocket and launch pad,
0:15:30 > 0:15:38that is the only bus stop to the ISS since the shuttle retired.
0:15:38 > 0:15:40If you want to know how that rocket got there,
0:15:40 > 0:15:44I spent a couple of days trying to find out.
0:15:44 > 0:15:49At the heart of the Baikonur Cosmodrome is a rocket factory.
0:15:49 > 0:15:51It's Saturday, December 12th,
0:15:51 > 0:15:56and getting its final checks on the production line today is THE rocket
0:15:56 > 0:15:58that will launch Tim into space -
0:15:58 > 0:16:02Soyuz TMA-19M.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05What makes that so extraordinary is not just that it ferries people
0:16:05 > 0:16:09into space but that it does it on such a regular basis.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12It is so reliable, so elegantly designed,
0:16:12 > 0:16:15that other rockets have come and gone over the years
0:16:15 > 0:16:18but Soyuz keeps on going.
0:16:18 > 0:16:21This is the 128th Soyuz flight.
0:16:21 > 0:16:23They make a new one for every mission.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26Building this way is relatively cheap and efficient,
0:16:26 > 0:16:29unlike the space shuttle that required costly maintenance
0:16:29 > 0:16:31after every trip.
0:16:31 > 0:16:35So this is the real muscle, this is the business end,
0:16:35 > 0:16:38the stage one boosters and the stage two central core,
0:16:38 > 0:16:42which all fire on lift-off just like a sprinter leaving the blocks
0:16:42 > 0:16:45to give you maximum power right at the beginning.
0:16:45 > 0:16:50When Sergei Korolev first envisioned this over half a century ago, he had
0:16:50 > 0:16:54no idea that his design would become the workhorse of space travel.
0:16:54 > 0:16:58But essentially it is the same 1950s design
0:16:58 > 0:17:02as the R-7 Intercontinental Ballistic Missile
0:17:02 > 0:17:06that went on to launch Sputnik and the first people into space.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09Simple engineering that has stood the test of time.
0:17:11 > 0:17:13The next day, Tim's rocket is ready to roll.
0:17:15 > 0:17:17It's 6:30am, it's bitterly cold,
0:17:17 > 0:17:21they've just opened the doors of the vehicle assembly hanger and they've
0:17:21 > 0:17:24backed in this diesel engine which they're going to attach
0:17:24 > 0:17:26to the Soyuz rocket itself.
0:17:26 > 0:17:30And then they're going to drag it out on its journey down that way
0:17:30 > 0:17:31to the launch pad.
0:17:34 > 0:17:35Here she comes.
0:17:36 > 0:17:40What a glorious sight. Soyuz, queen of the skies.
0:17:40 > 0:17:43That is proper engineering.
0:18:02 > 0:18:07Two hours later it arrives here at the historic Gagarin launch pad.
0:18:08 > 0:18:12Look at this - the train is now moving away, leaving the rocket,
0:18:12 > 0:18:15and it's about to go up into its vertical position.
0:18:29 > 0:18:34When you're sending people into space, you don't want experimental,
0:18:34 > 0:18:38you don't want cutting-edge - what you want is tried and tested,
0:18:38 > 0:18:43which is why that rocket and that launch pad are as important to human
0:18:43 > 0:18:47space flight as they were in 1961 when Yuri Gagarin left from there.
0:18:47 > 0:18:52And in two days' time, Tim Peake will be sitting on top of there,
0:18:52 > 0:18:54taking his own place in history.
0:18:57 > 0:18:59Here we have a model of that rocket.
0:18:59 > 0:19:01I'm just looking at the countdown clock -
0:19:01 > 0:19:04about 14 minutes before launch.
0:19:04 > 0:19:09So what are we going to see as this rocket launches? What are the steps?
0:19:09 > 0:19:14As you say, it's been around for 50 years. It's a beautiful design.
0:19:14 > 0:19:18These four boosters here are designed to get you above the air
0:19:18 > 0:19:20and so they'll light first
0:19:20 > 0:19:23and you'll see the steam and smoke from them,
0:19:23 > 0:19:26but it's when the big centre rocket lights
0:19:26 > 0:19:29that you'll have enough thrust to leave the ground.
0:19:29 > 0:19:31These burn for about two minutes and then fall away.
0:19:31 > 0:19:33It's literally "fall off", isn't it?
0:19:33 > 0:19:36They're just sort of snubbed up into place here, it's a beautiful,
0:19:36 > 0:19:37elegant design.
0:19:37 > 0:19:41About two-thirds of the way through the launch, it'll just be this part
0:19:41 > 0:19:44that's pushing the Soyuz for the last few minutes,
0:19:44 > 0:19:47getting it up to the speed for it to be able to stay in space.
0:19:47 > 0:19:51After the launch we'll talk through various stages as we go through
0:19:51 > 0:19:54the different boosters and engines,
0:19:54 > 0:19:58but this is one of the most reliable rockets - 128 manned missions,
0:19:58 > 0:20:01over 1,500 missions in total,
0:20:01 > 0:20:04no astronaut has been killed on the ascent -
0:20:04 > 0:20:06no cosmonauts have been killed on the ascent.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09There was one explosion, but there's another safety feature,
0:20:09 > 0:20:12in 1983, that we have the footage of here.
0:20:12 > 0:20:14If there's a problem during launch...
0:20:14 > 0:20:15That looks catastrophic.
0:20:15 > 0:20:19It looks scary but we have the ability - if you watch closely -
0:20:19 > 0:20:24you see that little rocket spitting off the top...
0:20:24 > 0:20:27This little rescue tower, right here on the very top,
0:20:27 > 0:20:30lifting safely the crew and their capsule, throwing them up
0:20:30 > 0:20:33- about 10,000 feet and they come down by parachute.- In 1983,
0:20:33 > 0:20:37both the cosmonauts were safe cos they were lifted off by that.
0:20:37 > 0:20:40Yeah, it was Titov and Strekalov in there
0:20:40 > 0:20:43and even though the rocket exploded, they were safe,
0:20:43 > 0:20:45because of all of the rescue features.
0:20:45 > 0:20:48I know you've flown on both the shuttle and this -
0:20:48 > 0:20:51what's the most relaxing launch vehicle?
0:20:51 > 0:20:54Is it the Soyuz or the shuttle?
0:20:54 > 0:20:58Neither are relaxed. It's not a relaxing thing to fly.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01You are intensely focused on what you're doing.
0:21:01 > 0:21:04But the ride on the shuttle is rougher for the first two minutes.
0:21:04 > 0:21:08It's such a big vehicle and it rams itself through the atmosphere.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11But this one, you're squished more into your chair,
0:21:11 > 0:21:14higher acceleration. So it's kind of a toss-up.
0:21:14 > 0:21:17It's not a relaxing day but it's a magnificent day.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20And eventually it stops being a rocket and becomes a spaceship,
0:21:20 > 0:21:24- which is what this is.- Yeah, the little guy in here is that.
0:21:24 > 0:21:29Yes. And that will open out after about eight, nine minutes?
0:21:29 > 0:21:32Right around nine minutes, when you're in orbit,
0:21:32 > 0:21:33all this stuff is gone
0:21:33 > 0:21:37and all that makes it to space is the Soyuz with the crew,
0:21:37 > 0:21:42and then the solar arrays deploy and the antennas deploy and this little
0:21:42 > 0:21:45docking mechanism sticks out and the vehicle's ready to go to station.
0:21:45 > 0:21:49We've got some shots of Tim putting on his spacesuit earlier.
0:21:49 > 0:21:53We've also got Leah who's done the same thing.
0:21:53 > 0:21:55Thank you, Leah, come on in here.
0:21:55 > 0:21:59- Hi, guys.- Is it comfortable?- It's actually surprisingly comfortable.
0:21:59 > 0:22:00I know they're made to measure,
0:22:00 > 0:22:03every astronaut has their own special spacesuit,
0:22:03 > 0:22:07but I'm able to move around, it's quite light and I guess it has to be
0:22:07 > 0:22:10really comfortable because they're in it for ten hours.
0:22:10 > 0:22:14- Yeah.- Well, the purpose of the suit, of course,
0:22:14 > 0:22:18is if the spaceship has a leak, one of the seals leaks,
0:22:18 > 0:22:21then this becomes just a bubble of air to protect you,
0:22:21 > 0:22:24around your body. And this helmet would be closed,
0:22:24 > 0:22:28you're fed oxygen through this hose here
0:22:28 > 0:22:31and you control the pressure here with a regulator.
0:22:31 > 0:22:34So normally it'd be deflated like this but if there was an emergency,
0:22:34 > 0:22:37this would inflate like a super-tight balloon.
0:22:37 > 0:22:40You could read your pressure on your wrist
0:22:40 > 0:22:43and this suit would keep you alive.
0:22:43 > 0:22:45How long do you have to stay in this suit for?
0:22:45 > 0:22:47Tim will have put this suit on a couple of hours ago,
0:22:47 > 0:22:50so he's already been wearing it for two hours,
0:22:50 > 0:22:52and now he's in the ship for an hour or two,
0:22:52 > 0:22:55and then it's going to take six hours to get to the space station.
0:22:55 > 0:23:00So, all told, eight or nine hours wearing this. Is it comfortable?
0:23:00 > 0:23:04- It's OK.- It's OK?- I'm a bit hunched, obviously they're sitting down
0:23:04 > 0:23:06and there's a lot of pressure on my shoulders.
0:23:06 > 0:23:08It's not really designed for standing up,
0:23:08 > 0:23:11it's designed for sitting with your knees up in the capsule.
0:23:11 > 0:23:14I think we have a clip of Tim undergoing the pressure test
0:23:14 > 0:23:15in the suit this morning.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18This is where the suit's inflated to see if there's any leaks.
0:23:18 > 0:23:21Yeah, he's getting into the chair and then we check,
0:23:21 > 0:23:24using these hoses that are on the front,
0:23:24 > 0:23:29his medical data, his communications and then we also inflate the suit
0:23:29 > 0:23:32so that we can check there's no leaks at the wrists
0:23:32 > 0:23:33or around this seal.
0:23:33 > 0:23:36Like, right now you wouldn't want to have a thread across like this
0:23:36 > 0:23:39because it would cause a leak in your suit.
0:23:39 > 0:23:42So they'll check all that and make sure it's all hermetically sealed.
0:23:42 > 0:23:45I can't help notice that you're holding what appears to be a nappy.
0:23:45 > 0:23:48- Yes. Shall I explain this?- Yeah.
0:23:48 > 0:23:51- I presume it's what it's for?- Yes.
0:23:51 > 0:23:55Well, you're going to be in a rubber suit for eight or nine hours,
0:23:55 > 0:24:00so not that you necessarily will use it, but it's just a good precaution.
0:24:00 > 0:24:03- Just to be safe.- Better safe than sorry in this situation.
0:24:03 > 0:24:06Let's go back to Dallas at the Cosmodrome.
0:24:06 > 0:24:09Dallas, we are nine minutes away from launch.
0:24:11 > 0:24:13Yes, we are nine minutes away.
0:24:13 > 0:24:15We've got absolutely beautiful light for you.
0:24:15 > 0:24:17The sun's just coming down to the horizon now
0:24:17 > 0:24:19so that rocket is going to look superb.
0:24:19 > 0:24:22I was just listening to what you were saying about the suits.
0:24:22 > 0:24:25There's one bit about that suit that I find really fascinating
0:24:25 > 0:24:28and it really sort of symbolises this terrific,
0:24:28 > 0:24:32simple Russian engineering, and it's the fact the pressure bladder
0:24:32 > 0:24:36inside, which is scrunched up, is held together by a rubber band.
0:24:36 > 0:24:40That's my favourite bit of the spacesuit.
0:24:40 > 0:24:43We've had a wonderful few days here at Baikonur.
0:24:43 > 0:24:45There's been such a relaxing day.
0:24:45 > 0:24:48The family are about 100 yards over that way,
0:24:48 > 0:24:49ready to watch the launch,
0:24:49 > 0:24:53it's been a real sort of carnival atmosphere in Baikonur,
0:24:53 > 0:24:55very friendly, everyone is very relaxed,
0:24:55 > 0:24:57Tim's family is very relaxed.
0:24:57 > 0:25:00Tim is cool as a cucumber, as you said.
0:25:00 > 0:25:03And I got the chance to meet Tim's parents
0:25:03 > 0:25:05and have a chat with them earlier on.
0:25:05 > 0:25:09It's really overawing. We suddenly realised, when you get here,
0:25:09 > 0:25:11the enormity of the operation hits you.
0:25:11 > 0:25:15And the backup behind Tim and Yuri
0:25:15 > 0:25:19and the other Tim going up there, I think it's just wonderful.
0:25:19 > 0:25:21Are you going to get a chance to see Tim before he goes?
0:25:21 > 0:25:24There's the press conference a bit later on, but are you...?
0:25:24 > 0:25:27- We have seen Tim. - Yeah, we saw him last night.
0:25:27 > 0:25:31He's in quarantine and we have to keep away from him but, yeah,
0:25:31 > 0:25:35he's full of good spirits. He's just raring to go.
0:25:35 > 0:25:39The whole country is so excited about this and I hope he knows that.
0:25:39 > 0:25:41He does. We've told him.
0:25:41 > 0:25:44Cos he's been out here in a little bit of a bubble
0:25:44 > 0:25:48but we've told him, back home the interest is enormous.
0:25:48 > 0:25:51- And he's thrilled. - You must be incredibly proud.- Yes.
0:25:51 > 0:25:54- Are you fit to burst? - You couldn't not be, could you?
0:25:56 > 0:25:59We have live pictures from inside the capsule.
0:25:59 > 0:26:01Just about seven minutes to launch.
0:26:01 > 0:26:03Here they are.
0:26:03 > 0:26:07Chris, you see that there are things going on, buttons being pressed.
0:26:07 > 0:26:12I know in Dallas' VT he said there's a rubber band and you said,
0:26:12 > 0:26:16- "No, no, no - two."- Two rubber bands. Yeah, a little redundancy.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19You can see Tim right now is checking his harness
0:26:19 > 0:26:23is cinched right down, tight into the seat, and now he's closing
0:26:23 > 0:26:27his visor, sealing it up. You listen to two clicks to make sure
0:26:27 > 0:26:28your visor is properly attached.
0:26:28 > 0:26:31Do the journey with the visor closed and pressurised?
0:26:31 > 0:26:34Just in case the vehicle shook itself into a leak,
0:26:34 > 0:26:37you do the whole launch, until you're clear,
0:26:37 > 0:26:39with everything closed up tight, just in case.
0:26:39 > 0:26:45Do you get time to sit there and dream and wonder about the journey?
0:26:45 > 0:26:47Or is it really intense now?
0:26:47 > 0:26:50We see that Tim's doing a lot of checking on the suit.
0:26:50 > 0:26:53It's like you're two people lying there.
0:26:53 > 0:26:58You're this extremely efficient flying machine of a human being,
0:26:58 > 0:27:02but you're also this passionate human who's there on behalf of
0:27:02 > 0:27:06all these people at the Science Museum and around the country.
0:27:06 > 0:27:09You understand the role that you're in and you feel it.
0:27:09 > 0:27:12I find it hard to think that the launch will be any louder
0:27:12 > 0:27:16than the Science Museum because we must have 2,000 people here.
0:27:16 > 0:27:18Hello to everybody here.
0:27:18 > 0:27:21CHEERING
0:27:21 > 0:27:25This is what it's all about, there's inspiration here.
0:27:25 > 0:27:27There will be students out there
0:27:27 > 0:27:29who are going to be scientists and engineers.
0:27:29 > 0:27:32I think Tim really noticed that. Not only is he involved,
0:27:32 > 0:27:36but he recognises the impact it has for decades.
0:27:36 > 0:27:40It is almost time to blast off. Only about 5:30 to go.
0:27:40 > 0:27:41Before Tim leaves,
0:27:41 > 0:27:45here are a few people keen to send their best wishes.
0:27:45 > 0:27:48- ALL:- # I think it's gonna be a long, long time... #
0:27:48 > 0:27:52Tim, I know you've been dreaming of this day for a long time
0:27:52 > 0:27:55and we will be with you every step of the way,
0:27:55 > 0:27:58watching with admiration and wonder.
0:27:58 > 0:28:01# Rocket man... #
0:28:01 > 0:28:02Good luck, Tim! Bon voyage!
0:28:02 > 0:28:04BOTH: All the best, Tim.
0:28:04 > 0:28:06Have a great trip, have a safe trip.
0:28:06 > 0:28:07- All the best, Tim.- Good luck.
0:28:07 > 0:28:09And have a good flight.
0:28:09 > 0:28:12I want to wish you the best of luck on your fabulous adventure.
0:28:12 > 0:28:15I know the view's going to be amazing
0:28:15 > 0:28:17and I'm a little bit jealous. Have a great time.
0:28:17 > 0:28:19ALL: Good luck, Tim!
0:28:19 > 0:28:20- ALL:- Go on, Tim!
0:28:20 > 0:28:22Enjoy the ride!
0:28:22 > 0:28:23The nation's proud of you.
0:28:23 > 0:28:26We all just wanted to wish you the best of luck.
0:28:26 > 0:28:29- Or, as they say in Russian... ALL:- Udachi!
0:28:29 > 0:28:32- Safe flight, Tim.- We wish you luck. Have a fantastic trip.
0:28:32 > 0:28:34Enjoy Christmas in space.
0:28:34 > 0:28:37Good luck, Tim. Have a cosmic time.
0:28:37 > 0:28:39Tim, from all your friends and colleagues here
0:28:39 > 0:28:41at the Army Aviation Centre, Middle Wallop,
0:28:41 > 0:28:45- all the best with your space mission.- ALL: Good luck, Tim!
0:28:47 > 0:28:50CHEERING
0:28:53 > 0:28:56- That's great, isn't it? - Fantastic.
0:28:56 > 0:28:59Yes, four minutes to go until launch.
0:28:59 > 0:29:02Let's give you some more details on Tim's crewmates.
0:29:02 > 0:29:05The commander of the flight is Yuri Malenchenko,
0:29:05 > 0:29:07one of Russia's most experienced cosmonauts.
0:29:07 > 0:29:09He'll be sitting in the middle of the three of them.
0:29:09 > 0:29:12He couldn't be in safer hands than Yuri.
0:29:12 > 0:29:15Yuri's as experienced a cosmonaut as ever existed.
0:29:15 > 0:29:19I think this is his sixth space flight and he is the quietest,
0:29:19 > 0:29:23calmest, most taciturn guy you'll ever meet.
0:29:23 > 0:29:27- He's in expert hands.- And he's already done 600 days in space.
0:29:27 > 0:29:30He's closing in on the record.
0:29:30 > 0:29:33By the time he and his crew come back in June, Yuri will be right up
0:29:33 > 0:29:37against the longest anybody's ever flown in space in history.
0:29:37 > 0:29:39And he's so relaxed. He got married in space, actually.
0:29:39 > 0:29:42We've got the photograph of him getting married.
0:29:42 > 0:29:47Yeah, that's right, he got married when he was up in orbit.
0:29:47 > 0:29:51They sort of did the vows from remote distance. Pretty amazing.
0:29:51 > 0:29:55And then we've got Tim Kopra, the American astronaut.
0:29:55 > 0:29:59- I think these are live pictures. - Yeah, there's Tim Kopra right there.
0:29:59 > 0:30:01So this is his second space flight.
0:30:01 > 0:30:06Tim's flown in space once before, he's been to the space station
0:30:06 > 0:30:09before, so between Yuri's experience
0:30:09 > 0:30:14and Tim Kopra in the left seat, Tim is part of a great crew.
0:30:14 > 0:30:16Three minutes to launch here.
0:30:16 > 0:30:19Can I just check, is this the thing that they will see float,
0:30:19 > 0:30:22- when they know they're in zero gravity?- Yeah.
0:30:22 > 0:30:25It's actually fun to watch that during launch
0:30:25 > 0:30:29because of the acceleration - it starts to shake faster
0:30:29 > 0:30:33and faster and then finally the moment the engines shut off,
0:30:33 > 0:30:36it floats and it reminds you where you are.
0:30:36 > 0:30:40These are live pictures now so it's 2:30 before launch
0:30:40 > 0:30:46and everybody seems to be relaxing. There's a checklist in the middle.
0:30:46 > 0:30:50It's one last moment to make sure you are completely ready,
0:30:50 > 0:30:54everything's anchored down, you know what steps you may have to follow.
0:30:54 > 0:30:56That's what's uppermost in their mind.
0:30:56 > 0:30:59Each of them is thinking, "What are the emergencies?
0:30:59 > 0:31:01"What buttons will I be reaching for?"
0:31:01 > 0:31:02That's what they're focused on.
0:31:02 > 0:31:06But there's this noise of excitement in the back of their head.
0:31:06 > 0:31:09Are you expecting or dreading a huge acceleration,
0:31:09 > 0:31:12- is there a massive noise? - It's actually gradual.
0:31:12 > 0:31:17The engines sort of light sequentially, so you sort of feel
0:31:17 > 0:31:21the crescendo of an orchestra getting louder and louder,
0:31:21 > 0:31:26right up to the moment that the clock hits zero and you leave Earth.
0:31:26 > 0:31:33- 1:45.- Our first indication, these support gantries will move away.
0:31:33 > 0:31:35You can see some of the gantries are already down.
0:31:35 > 0:31:38We have one more gantry to retract
0:31:38 > 0:31:41and then it's just these ones at the bottom,
0:31:41 > 0:31:45just holding the rocket, waiting for it to be able to lift itself
0:31:45 > 0:31:49and free itself from the shackles of Earth.
0:31:49 > 0:31:53This is the coldness of the fuel we can see here, this vapour.
0:31:53 > 0:31:58You can see it's still connected, just to top up the fuel.
0:31:58 > 0:32:01But this is just this elegant mechanism that holds
0:32:01 > 0:32:03it in space here right now,
0:32:03 > 0:32:07so that it's perfectly poised for the thrust of the engines -
0:32:07 > 0:32:09in just over one minute.
0:32:09 > 0:32:12We're going to see the engines light - that'll be the boosters -
0:32:12 > 0:32:16and they'll see if they're working properly before the rocket goes.
0:32:16 > 0:32:17That's right.
0:32:17 > 0:32:21You'll see some of the smoke and the flame several seconds before
0:32:21 > 0:32:25we hit T-zero as the boosters on the outside start to light.
0:32:25 > 0:32:29But it's only when that big central rocket lights that you're really
0:32:29 > 0:32:31committed and we're actually going to space today.
0:32:31 > 0:32:34We're counting down to the time we were given.
0:32:34 > 0:32:36There is, however, Russian tradition.
0:32:36 > 0:32:39There is no Hollywood countdown.
0:32:39 > 0:32:42- Last pieces come away.- That should be 40 seconds before launch.
0:32:42 > 0:32:45- 30 seconds.- This is getting very exciting.- Almost there.
0:32:45 > 0:32:49So we'll see ignition happen first on the four outer boosters.
0:32:49 > 0:32:52- Yeah.- A bright light will appear from underneath the rocket
0:32:52 > 0:32:55and then the main rocket is the one that starts lifting it off.
0:32:55 > 0:32:57You're going to see here...
0:32:57 > 0:33:02starting right about now, you can see the light.
0:33:02 > 0:33:04You can see retracting the last little thing.
0:33:04 > 0:33:07You've got all of England counting down, all of the UK.
0:33:09 > 0:33:12- Here we go, there's engines lighting.- Main boosters.
0:33:16 > 0:33:18You're going to see these fall away
0:33:18 > 0:33:21- as the vehicle starts to pull itself away.- And we have liftoff.
0:33:21 > 0:33:24- Tim's away!- Big cheer. - CHEERING
0:33:42 > 0:33:44Stable.
0:33:47 > 0:33:49So we've got live pictures from inside the capsule.
0:33:51 > 0:33:54You can see the splitscreen. This is the live image.
0:33:54 > 0:33:56And you see the vibration.
0:33:56 > 0:33:59You can see how hard the acceleration is by how this
0:33:59 > 0:34:02little floating thing is being shaken by the acceleration.
0:34:02 > 0:34:07Yuri is carefully looking at things, Tim Kopra's writing down information
0:34:07 > 0:34:10and everyone is focused on the rocket ship.
0:34:10 > 0:34:13You've seen many of these launches, you've been involved in three
0:34:13 > 0:34:15of them, but I saw you there -
0:34:15 > 0:34:20do you really feel a personal connection to these astronauts?
0:34:20 > 0:34:21I-I...
0:34:21 > 0:34:25You're calmer inside than you are out because out here all I can
0:34:25 > 0:34:30really do is wish them well and just give them the benefit of my heart.
0:34:30 > 0:34:35We're about 45 seconds till the booster cuts off now.
0:34:35 > 0:34:38So what should we be looking for here?
0:34:38 > 0:34:41It's a beautiful, clear day in Kazakhstan
0:34:41 > 0:34:49so at 1:45 or 1:50 those four outer boosters will have done their job,
0:34:49 > 0:34:53they'll be above the air, they'll separate and actually flip away
0:34:53 > 0:34:56and then it'll separate, that whole first stage.
0:34:56 > 0:34:58You can see them starting to burn out now.
0:34:58 > 0:35:00You can see Tim on the left-hand side of the picture
0:35:00 > 0:35:02with his checklist. So they're busy, busy, busy.
0:35:02 > 0:35:07They're just keeping track. Watch as they separate now.
0:35:07 > 0:35:10You should see the blip, blip, blip of the four boosters coming off.
0:35:14 > 0:35:16- There they are. - The boosters are going.
0:35:18 > 0:35:21- And there's staging.- Wow.
0:35:21 > 0:35:24See the external boosters coming off.
0:35:24 > 0:35:27Is that the cover around the Soyuz itself coming off?
0:35:27 > 0:35:30Not yet, these are just the four boosters separating
0:35:30 > 0:35:32and flipping away.
0:35:32 > 0:35:36And we can see that the main stage has ignited.
0:35:36 > 0:35:40Now it's that central rocket burning for another few minutes.
0:35:40 > 0:35:44Now that they're above the air, they just have to get going fast enough
0:35:44 > 0:35:45to stay in orbit.
0:35:45 > 0:35:48So now it's just like a dragster with the foot to the floor,
0:35:48 > 0:35:50getting faster and faster.
0:35:50 > 0:35:53The next thing we'll see - we won't see it - but for them
0:35:53 > 0:35:56they'll see when the covers come off the Soyuz capsule itself.
0:35:56 > 0:35:58This is the first time that the windows are open,
0:35:58 > 0:36:00they get some sense of what's happening outside.
0:36:00 > 0:36:03Yeah, Tim's got a window just to his right
0:36:03 > 0:36:05and right now it's covered by the aerodynamic shroud.
0:36:05 > 0:36:10But as soon as you're above the air, you don't need that streamlining
0:36:10 > 0:36:13any more so it splits like a big clam shell.
0:36:13 > 0:36:16There he is. There's Tim Peake there.
0:36:16 > 0:36:20There's Tim right now.
0:36:20 > 0:36:23Look at that. There's that prod...
0:36:23 > 0:36:27As you can see, Tim is focused on what's happening inside.
0:36:27 > 0:36:31He's got six months to look out the window, so even though that's
0:36:31 > 0:36:36space appearing out the window, he's focused on flying his rocket.
0:36:36 > 0:36:39- And just to get some sense of the power...- Thumbs up!
0:36:39 > 0:36:41Thumbs up there from Tim Peake!
0:36:41 > 0:36:43CHEERING
0:36:43 > 0:36:45Hello, Tim!
0:36:45 > 0:36:49These pictures coming to you live from the Soyuz capsule.
0:36:49 > 0:36:52I don't know if you can hear on TV but there was a huge cheer
0:36:52 > 0:36:54from all the children when Tim gave us a wave.
0:36:54 > 0:36:56It's a wonderful thing.
0:36:56 > 0:37:01- He looks very relaxed.- Yeah. And the load on them is getting heavier.
0:37:01 > 0:37:05It's as if someone is slowly pouring more and more sand on your body,
0:37:05 > 0:37:06as the vehicle accelerates.
0:37:06 > 0:37:10We can see the rim of the Earth through the window.
0:37:10 > 0:37:15You can see the sky is going from light blue to dark blue to black.
0:37:15 > 0:37:20- The edge of space here?- That's right. We define it as 100km up.
0:37:20 > 0:37:25They're almost there right now. He's almost at the legal definition.
0:37:25 > 0:37:28He could put that in his log book now - "Been to space."
0:37:28 > 0:37:33Is he technically now an astronaut? Is there a point at which getting up
0:37:33 > 0:37:37- there...or is there some other tradition?- To become part of sort of
0:37:37 > 0:37:41the definition of the Association of Space Explorers,
0:37:41 > 0:37:46as soon as he's done one orbit of the world above 100km he's there.
0:37:46 > 0:37:50We're about 30 seconds now to second stage separation.
0:37:50 > 0:37:54Yeah, so the first rocket got him above the air
0:37:54 > 0:37:55and now it's accelerating.
0:37:55 > 0:37:59But now he needs the other rocket to perfectly steer them
0:37:59 > 0:38:02so that they're going towards the space station.
0:38:02 > 0:38:04And that separation will happen here shortly
0:38:04 > 0:38:07as they go from one rocket to the other.
0:38:07 > 0:38:12We expect that we lose signal from the Soyuz at various points
0:38:12 > 0:38:14on the way up.
0:38:14 > 0:38:18We can see Earth disappearing and him going further
0:38:18 > 0:38:20and further into space.
0:38:20 > 0:38:23And they're covering hundreds of kilometres already.
0:38:23 > 0:38:25They're nowhere near Baikonur,
0:38:25 > 0:38:27they're on their way to Japan right now.
0:38:27 > 0:38:33- It's so fast it's hard to grasp. - So 4:41 - second stage separation.
0:38:33 > 0:38:35106 miles altitude.
0:38:35 > 0:38:37Just to get some sense for the violence
0:38:37 > 0:38:39and speed of a rocket launch.
0:38:39 > 0:38:41Think of what it's like when you get on a train
0:38:41 > 0:38:45and after nine minutes imagine you could be hundreds
0:38:45 > 0:38:49of kilometres away and hundreds of kilometres up in just nine minutes.
0:38:49 > 0:38:53And they've gone from nought to 8,233mph
0:38:53 > 0:38:56- in the time they've been doing this. - Isn't that amazing?
0:38:56 > 0:39:01It's an uncannily precise and yet unbelievable process
0:39:01 > 0:39:03that makes this happen.
0:39:03 > 0:39:06So when do you start to relax
0:39:06 > 0:39:09and think the vehicle has performed as it should?
0:39:09 > 0:39:14We're now in space - is it the moment you get into orbit?
0:39:14 > 0:39:18During launch we saw Tim was focused and worked and then he went,
0:39:18 > 0:39:21"This is great!" And he stuck his thumb up for a second
0:39:21 > 0:39:23and then he got back to focusing.
0:39:23 > 0:39:27It'll be the same when they get to orbit in just under nine minutes.
0:39:27 > 0:39:30They'll focus really hard for a bit
0:39:30 > 0:39:34and then they'll have a chance to sort of congratulate each other,
0:39:34 > 0:39:36and recognise that the game has begun.
0:39:36 > 0:39:41In about 2:30 it'll get to microgravity - zero gravity -
0:39:41 > 0:39:45their first orbit, and this is a point where they'll separate
0:39:45 > 0:39:50the last engine and then Soyuz will unfurl into the spaceship we know.
0:39:50 > 0:39:56Yeah. You're all bundled up like a butterfly in a cocoon right now
0:39:56 > 0:40:02and as soon as the engines shut off, then we deploy the big solar arrays,
0:40:02 > 0:40:07the antennas come up so we can start looking for the space station.
0:40:07 > 0:40:10So the vehicle sort of spreads its wings and comes alive
0:40:10 > 0:40:13immediately after the last rocket shuts off.
0:40:13 > 0:40:15It's a remarkable thing.
0:40:15 > 0:40:17We saw Alexey Leonov earlier, from those days,
0:40:17 > 0:40:22to days when you can have live TV pictures from inside the capsule.
0:40:22 > 0:40:26Is there a glove coming off there? Oh, no, just some switches...
0:40:26 > 0:40:30We're going to go back to Dallas in Baikonur.
0:40:30 > 0:40:33Dallas, how's the launch from where you are?
0:40:34 > 0:40:38Oh, my goodness. That is how to get to the office.
0:40:38 > 0:40:42It's indescribable standing here. We are so close.
0:40:42 > 0:40:46I've been to a launch before, but there's no way to explain it.
0:40:46 > 0:40:49It feels like it's alive. It's like some kind of monster.
0:40:49 > 0:40:51The noise is immense.
0:40:51 > 0:40:54And also the thing that really surprised me again
0:40:54 > 0:40:58is just the brightness of the boosters. It's just fantastic.
0:40:59 > 0:41:03So it's all looking very good so far for Tim.
0:41:03 > 0:41:05He is one step closer
0:41:05 > 0:41:08on his journey to the ISS.
0:41:08 > 0:41:11We're still getting pictures.
0:41:11 > 0:41:15We're about a minute to microgravity, so a minute
0:41:15 > 0:41:19when all the engines go off. Are we looking for this thing to float?
0:41:19 > 0:41:23You can see how smooth it is right now because this has just pulled
0:41:23 > 0:41:27tight straight like a guitar string under the four Gs
0:41:27 > 0:41:31- of acceleration that the crew is feeling.- Four G at the moment?
0:41:31 > 0:41:34Yeah, it gets up to about four or four and a half maximum.
0:41:34 > 0:41:37You can just see the visual reminder of where they are.
0:41:37 > 0:41:40We've got about 30 seconds to engine cut-off so should we see something
0:41:40 > 0:41:43- on these live pictures? - We may lose the picture
0:41:43 > 0:41:46just because of all the mechanical things happening.
0:41:46 > 0:41:49The antenna that sends us this signal from the rocket
0:41:49 > 0:41:51is probably going to get messed up.
0:41:51 > 0:41:54I think we can show an animation of what this will look like.
0:41:54 > 0:41:56Obviously we've no external shot at the moment.
0:41:56 > 0:41:58That's what it looks like at the moment
0:41:58 > 0:42:01and then at some point that final engine...
0:42:01 > 0:42:07- This section here.- ..will stop and almost immediately detach.- Right.
0:42:07 > 0:42:11It has been steering them right to the final direction.
0:42:11 > 0:42:12It's gone! Where's that thing gone?
0:42:12 > 0:42:15- They're in weightlessness. - So we know they're weightless
0:42:15 > 0:42:18because that toy has now floated away.
0:42:18 > 0:42:22Floated out of the field of view. Their checklists are now weightless.
0:42:22 > 0:42:25Their pens are floating in front of them.
0:42:25 > 0:42:28So this is when the solar panels unfurl,
0:42:28 > 0:42:31the spacecraft comes to life.
0:42:31 > 0:42:33They're in space now, Brian, they've made it,
0:42:33 > 0:42:37- they're successfully in orbit. - We should have a cheer.
0:42:37 > 0:42:39Tim Peake's in space, everybody!
0:42:39 > 0:42:43CHEERING
0:42:43 > 0:42:45Big thumbs up from Yuri there.
0:42:45 > 0:42:50They've reached zero gravity. They're 137 miles up.
0:42:50 > 0:42:53They still need to raise themselves about another 100 miles or so
0:42:53 > 0:42:55to reach the orbit of the ISS
0:42:55 > 0:43:00and that journey will take place hopefully over the next six hours.
0:43:00 > 0:43:02But Tim's got his astronaut wings.
0:43:02 > 0:43:05That's right, he's got his astronaut wings.
0:43:05 > 0:43:09We will know later whether or not they can do this journey,
0:43:09 > 0:43:13as we hope, over the next six hours, cos the journey's not over.
0:43:13 > 0:43:15He still has to dock with the ISS
0:43:15 > 0:43:18and we'll be able to find out a bit more.
0:43:18 > 0:43:21We also can see a bit more of Tim and this incredible journey
0:43:21 > 0:43:24that he's going on.
0:43:24 > 0:43:28Yeah. So we are going to be back about seven o'clock on BBC Two
0:43:28 > 0:43:32and we'll bring you live coverage of Tim's arrival on the space station.
0:43:32 > 0:43:35We'll hear Tim speak from space for the first time.
0:43:35 > 0:43:37Chris Hadfield will be back with us.
0:43:37 > 0:43:40Dallas will have reaction from Tim's family.
0:43:40 > 0:43:43We'll be joined by the first Briton in space, Helen Sharman. And we'll
0:43:43 > 0:43:47be exploring Tim's new home, the International Space Station.
0:43:47 > 0:43:49That's all at seven o'clock on BBC Two.
0:43:49 > 0:43:53But for now, it's been genuinely historic,
0:43:53 > 0:43:57- and for all of us, an uplifting morning. Goodbye.- See you later.
0:43:57 > 0:44:00CHEERING