Summary

  • Tim Peake launches into space and becomes Britain's first official astronaut to fly to the International Space Station

  • His lift-off, on a Russian Soyuz rocket with Russian commander Yuri Malenchenko and US astronaut Tim Kopra, happened at 11:03 GMT

  • After six-and-a-half hours, at 17:33 GMT, their capsule successfully docked with the ISS

  • Two-and-a-half hours after that, the hatch finally opened and the ISS crew welcomed the three newcomers on board

  • Mr Peake, previously an Army major and helicopter pilot, will spend six months on board the space station orbiting the Earth

  • He has spent six years training to become the first professional British astronaut to be employed by the European Space Agency

Live Reporting

Jonathan Webb

  1. Rugged up and ready to broadcast

    Remember you can watch all the key moments today right here on this page, using the "Live Coverage" tab above.

    There will be two special Stargazing Live programmes, presented by Dara O Briain and Prof Brian Cox:

    • 10:30 GMT - Blast Off Live
    • 19:00 GMT - Brit in Space, covering Tim's entry onto the International Space Station

    There will also be live video of the Soyuz craft docking at the ISS at about 17:00 GMT.

    Meanwhile, BBC News are also ready to cover the moment of lift-off in Kazakhstan. Our Moscow correspondent Sarah Rainsford tweeted:

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  2. What does it take to become an astronaut?

    Tim was selected from 8,413 applicants to be an astronaut with the European Space Agency.

    To make the grade, he battled through a gruelling selection process and endured rigorous training – testing his physical fitness, psychology and aptitude for the job.

    Take Tim's challenge: Do you have what it takes to be an astronaut?

  3. Smiles and waves - and a lift to the astronaut capsule

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  4. Aunt Sue: Tim 'was a thinker'

    Speaking to BBC Breakfast from their home town of Westbourne in Sussex, Tim's aunt Sue has just been giving a family perspective on the big day.

    "It's absolutely incredible," she said. "The excitement's been building up over the years - but certainly over the last few months. It's unbelievable, really."

    Tim Peake's aunt Sue

    Asked about what Tim was like as a little boy, Sue said he was "calm, like he is now" and "more of a thinker than a doer".

  5. Who’s launching with Tim today?

    Information about Yuri Malenchenko, Tim Peake and Timothy KopraGetty Images

  6. What makes an Esa astronaut?

    Since Esa was established in 1975, 28 astronauts have been recruited by the agency. Fifteen of them are still active today.

    Where did they come from and what skills did they have in common?

    The expertise, flying skills and nationality of all Esa astronauts

    Test: Do you have what it takes to be an astronaut?

  7. Good luck from Google

    There are many, many good wishes - and quite few different hashtags - whizzing around about Tim today. 

    There's #TimPeake, which is trending this morning in the UK. Plus #Principia (the name of Tim's mission for the European Space Agency), #BritInSpace and #GoodLuckTim, which Google has even stuck on its home page:

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  8. Young adventurer: How did Tim get to today?

    Key moments in Tim’s life that led to today’s launch:

    1983: Tim joins the Combined Cadet Force, getting him 40 hours of flying time under his belt – 10 hours as a solo pilot.

    1994: Tim is awarded his Wings at Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst and spends four years flying reconnaissance missions.

    2005: Tim becomes a test pilot and completes a degree in Flight Dynamics and Evaluation at the University of Portsmouth.

    2008: Esa (the European Space Agency) announces it’s accepting applications for new astronauts and Tim applies online. A year later he’s selected to join the agency.

    2013: After four years of training, Tim is chosen to embark on Expedition 46. He will spend more than six months living in space.

    Read more: How I became a British astronaut – Tim Peake’s life in his own words.

    Tim Peake as a young cadetTim Peake

  9. Three hours to go: Updates from the launch pad

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  10. "Earthlings" rock their way from the Cosmonaut Hotel

    A few hours ago now - Baikonur in Kazakhstan is six hours ahead of GMT - Tim and the other crew members walked out of the Cosmonaut Hotel to a rock song by band The Earthlings.

    TIm Peake and fellow crew members

    Asked how he felt, Tim said:

    Fantastic, great - we're ready.

  11. Good morning and welcome to launch day!

    Welcome to the BBC's live coverage of launch day for Tim Peake, who is set to become the first British astronaut to join the crew of the International Space Station.

    Tim is scheduled to blast off from Baikonur cosmodrome at 11:03 GMT and dock at the ISS at 17:53 GMT.

    Stay with us for updates throughout the day.