An all UK space mission could soon be heading into orbit with a crew of four British astronauts, and it is rumoured that veteran astronaut Tim Peake could lead the mission.
US spaceflight company Axiom Space has signed a memorandum with the UK Space Agency taking the initial steps towards the first ever space mission with a completely British crew.
The flight would see the crew conduct scientific research, demonstrate new technologies and participate in outreach activities.
The mission's £200 million price tag would be funded by commercial partners and not the UK tax payer.
“We want to put the UK at the forefront of the global race for commercial space investment, continue to support scientists and engineers to test new technologies and carry out important research and, ultimately, bring the benefits back to people and businesses across the country,” says George Freeman, Minister of State at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.
Where will the UK space mission go?
The project is still in its early planning stages and so there are few details about what the mission will look like.
Axiom Space helps to facilitate commercial space programmes, allowing nation's and institutions that might not otherwise be able to afford their own human spaceflight programme stage orbital missions.
In May 2023, two astronauts from Saudi Arabia flew on board the Axiom Mission 2.
The company uses SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsules to conduct their flights, so it is likely the mission will use such a vehicle to reach orbit.
Previous Axiom missions have then included a stay on the International Space Station, but it is also possible to have a free-flyer mission.
On such a flight, the crew would spend their entire stay within the capsule, conducting their experiments and other activities within this environment.
If the mission were to board the ISS then the astronauts would have to wait for an available slot on the Space Station.
And NASA would insist on certain conditions, one of which is the inclusion of a seasoned astronaut.
Which UK astronauts will fly on the mission?
Though there is currently no official word on a potential crew, the UK does have several astronauts who could be eligible.
The only active astronaut with experience is Tim Peake, who trained as an astronaut with the European Space agency.
He began his six months stay on the ISS in 2015, but has since focused on outreach work having stepped down from his role at ESA.
“There are several hurdles to overcome, the financial model needs to be secured, crew selection and training, and NASA needs to approve the mission and they need to identify a slot if it is to go to the International Space Station," said Peake, when speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme on 25 October.
"It’s early days and there are several steps to go through, but it is fantastic that we have started the ball rolling with these exploratory discussions.”
Peake would be an obvious choice to lead the mission, but has yet to officially confirm his role within the project.
There are two British ESA astronauts who are currently undergoing training as part of ESA’s 2022 astronaut group.
These are astrophysicist Rosemary Coogan and British Paralympic sprinter John McFall who is helping to assess the feasibility of sending people with disabilities into space.
In addition, materials scientist Meganne Christian was also selected as a reserve astronaut.
This is a group of potential candidates who ESA could call upon to train as astronauts if required.
What will the UK astronaut mission do?
The UK Space Agency is currently searching for experiments and educational activities to run during the mission.
The agency has put out a call to UK universities, research and educational institutions to submit their ideas for the two-week long mission.
“This agreement paves the way for UK astronauts to conduct scientific research in orbit, and to inspire millions of us here on Earth,” says Paul Bate, chief executive of the UK Space Agency.
“It takes thousands of people to complete a crewed space mission and return the astronauts safely home, highlighting the huge variety of careers available in the UK space sector right now.
“There is much to do, and this agreement is the springboard for the UK Space Agency, Axiom Space and the mission sponsors to assess how we best push forward the frontiers of knowledge and innovation and showcase the power of space to improve lives on Earth.”
