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Europe unveils British astronaut Europe unveils British astronaut
(9 minutes later)
Timothy Peake, a 37-year-old test pilot in the Army Air Corps, has been accepted into the European Space Agency's (Esa) Astronaut Corps.Timothy Peake, a 37-year-old test pilot in the Army Air Corps, has been accepted into the European Space Agency's (Esa) Astronaut Corps.
The spaceman, who hails from Chichester, was unveiled at a ceremony in Paris, along with five other new colleagues from across Europe.The spaceman, who hails from Chichester, was unveiled at a ceremony in Paris, along with five other new colleagues from across Europe.
The other recruits to emerge from Esa's latest trawl for new astronauts includes the first woman astronaut.The other recruits to emerge from Esa's latest trawl for new astronauts includes the first woman astronaut.
There are two Italians, a Frenchman, a German, and a Dane.There are two Italians, a Frenchman, a German, and a Dane.
But it is the appointment of a Briton which will surprise many.But it is the appointment of a Briton which will surprise many.
Successive British governments have considered human spaceflight an expensive distraction, preferring to fund robotic exploration Instead.Successive British governments have considered human spaceflight an expensive distraction, preferring to fund robotic exploration Instead.
This policy has made it extremely difficult for British-born individuals to get into orbit.This policy has made it extremely difficult for British-born individuals to get into orbit.
The first woman recruit to Esa's astronaut corps is Samantha Cristoforetti, from Italy.
The first Briton in space was Sheffield-born chemist Helen Sharman. She had to secure private funding to fly to the Mir space station on a Russian Soyuz craft in 1991.The first Briton in space was Sheffield-born chemist Helen Sharman. She had to secure private funding to fly to the Mir space station on a Russian Soyuz craft in 1991.
Three British-born astronauts have flown into space under an American flag: Michael Foale, Piers Sellers and Nicholas Patrick.Three British-born astronauts have flown into space under an American flag: Michael Foale, Piers Sellers and Nicholas Patrick.
But the European Space agency says its new astronauts were judged solely on their ability to do the job, not on national government policy.But the European Space agency says its new astronauts were judged solely on their ability to do the job, not on national government policy.
Timothy Peake and his new colleagues will now train to fly to the space station and with renewed interest in the Moon, they could conceivably also get to walk on the lunar surface one day.Timothy Peake and his new colleagues will now train to fly to the space station and with renewed interest in the Moon, they could conceivably also get to walk on the lunar surface one day.
The other new recruits comprise Frenchman Thomas Pesquet, Italian Luca Parmitano, Germany's Alexander Gerst, Denmark's Andreas Mogensen and Ms Cristoforetti.
Jonathan.Amos-INTERNET@bbc.co.ukJonathan.Amos-INTERNET@bbc.co.uk