Tim Peake has taken some amazing pictures while he's been in orbit. Professional photographer Max Alexander, external has picked his favourite 20, and you can see them on the European Space Agency's website, external, along with commentary from Max. 

We asked Max, who takes all the pictures for the UK Space Agency, what he thought of Tim's skills and how they had developed over the course of the mission.

"In very short order, and with only limited photography training prior to launch, Tim quickly mastered the photographic techniques required to make him an exceptional space photographer - whilst on the job on the International Space Station. He has taken to it so naturally, like he has been a pro for years. 

"Together with an innate eye for a great photograph and a flair for the abstract, this has enabled Tim to develop his own vision of our home planet, of where we live in the cosmos, a portrait of who we are - taking us along with him. 

"This has all been done on his own time, in the evenings and on weekends."

Image source, ESA

About three hours after drifting away from the space station, the Soyuz breaks into three parts. Italian astronaut Paolo Nespoli says it feels like "somebody outside with a sledgehammer". And Nasa astronaut Doug Wheelock says it's "kind of like going over Niagara Falls in a barrel but the barrel is on fire". As the module flies through the atmosphere it is engulfed in a ball of glowing plasma, which lights up and blackens the windows.

The short answer is no. Other space farers returning to Earth in the Soyuz capsule have described the final moments as anything from "like an elephant sitting on your chest" to "a collision between a truck and a small car". They prepare by bracing their arms against their body, not talking, and putting their tongue away from their teeth.

Britain's first astronaut, Helen Sharman, has just been on the Today programme on BBC Radio 4.

The indefatigable interrogator John Humphries tried to get her to admit that it was a scary thing to do, coming back to Earth in a Soyuz. But the astronaut was having none of it. She's done it, and she knows Tim is well prepared for re-entry.

Tim Peake's mission has been unforgettable. For two years, the British astronaut filmed a video diary for the BBC's Horizon programme as he prepared for launch.

The programme offers an intimate portrait of Tim's build-up and remarkable insights into the world of human spaceflight.

Tim Peake Special: How to be an astronaut

Word reaches us here in London that our science editor, David Shukman, has left Karagandy in the fleet of helicopters that will meet the returning Soyuz on the Kazakh Steppe.

Roscosmos, the Russian Space Agency, has just posted the official "goodbye" picture. 

Tim Peake, Tim Kopra and Yuri Malenchenko posed for the camera this morning just before climbing into their Soyuz capsule. 

Image source, NASA

David Shukman
Science editor, BBC News, Karagandy

Tim Peake grabbed the headlines for blazing a trail as Britain's first government-funded astronaut but it's fair to ask what his six months in space have actually achieved.

Addressing the Brit Awards in a fake tuxedo, running a virtual London Marathon,playing with spheres of water live on television - all these are eye-catching moments but what did his mission add up to?

With ministers committing nearly £80m to the European Space Agency's (Esa) human spaceflight programme - an essential contribution to secure Tim's place in orbit - the question can be answered in different ways. 

Let me explain how in this posting.

Image source, NASA/ESA

Jonathan Amos
Science correspondent, BBC News

As the reporter at the BBC who most often covers policy issues at the European Space Agency, I frequently get asked the question: "how much has Tim's mission cost the UK taxpayer?"

But rather than me answer, let's see how Tim himself responds to this inquiry. This is what he wrote on social media: 

Now let me unpack that. "CM" refers to the Council of Ministers meetings where monies to Esa are pledged by governments. The three payments Tim mentions are contributions to certain programmes within Esa's human spaceflight (HSF) programme.

MPCV refers to a one-off payment towards Nasa's forthcoming Orion crew capsule project. The ELIPS payment allows UK scientists to participate in the microgravity research programme at Esa, including on the ISS.

The third payment is a general one that essentially makes the UK a full member of Esa's HSF programme.

Sum the three together and this is the price paid so far by the UK. A little over £77m.  In this game, it is an absolute bargain.

Down the years, Germany, France and Italy have contributed considerably more to the ISS project on the European side.

The two Tims and Yuri Malenchenko will be wearing their Sokul suits for the journey home. The apparel is not exactly stylish or comfortable, but it could be a lifesaver if things don't go quite according to plan.

Watch Science Learning Manager Olympia Brown from the Royal Institution explain the suit's function.

As the Soyuz capsule travels through our planet’s atmosphere, the air can't move out of its way quickly enough. Instead it compresses and becomes very hot – incinerating any flammable materials it touches. To counteract this, Tim’s spacecraft has a heat shield that insulates the craft.

For more on the hazards of space, read our iWonder guide.

The Soyuz TMA-19 drifts further away from the ISS. 

Image source, NASA/ESA

Some great views of the departing Soyuz. It looks gentle; it looks serene. You wouldn't think they are moving at 27,000km/h (17,000mph).

Image source, NASA/ESA

Landing set for 10:15 BST. Soyuz capsules always land in the wide open Steppe of Kazakhstan. The helicopter teams will be onsite within minutes to make the spacecraft safe and extract the crew.

Image source, NASA/ESA

The new commander of the ISS, American Jeff Williams, rings the station's naval bell.  

"Soyuz-TMA departed. Farewell gentlemen, see you on the ground," he says.

Yuri Malenchenko replies: "Good luck to you, see you on the ground."

Separation burns now under way.

Image source, NASA/ESA

The return home has begun. Britain's Tim Peake, Russia's Yuri Malenchenko and America's Tim Kopra have undocked their Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft from the ISS. 

They should be back on Earth in under 3.5 hours.

Tim's own picture of his ride home. The Soyuz TMA-19M spaceship took him up in December, and must now keep him safe during the plunge back to Earth. It's going to be quite a ride. Are we all ready? 

Image source, NASA/ESA

David Shukman
Science editor, BBC News, Karagandy

The Russian space agency Roscosmos warns us that many aspects of the landing cannot be controlled. They tell us that there have been a few occasions in which only one helicopter has made it to the capsule, either because it landed in some unexpected location or because of the weather.

All of the journalists planning to reach the landing site have had to sign a declaration that we will not interfere with the operation in any way. Maybe over the years they’ve seen a few overenthusiastic cameramen charging in front of the rescue teams. At this stage, the BBC team will just be happy to get to the right place at the right time.

The base of the rescue operation is the Kazakh city of Karagandy which is proud of having hosted the first person in space, Yuri Gagarin - his gleaming statue dominates the city centre. And it’s at Karagandy airport where a Nasa Gulfstream jet is waiting to carry Tim Peake and his US counterpart Tim Kopra on their way home. The plane is fitted with two beds.

Once the capsule has been slowed by the atmosphere, a radio link is established with planes circling the landing zone. At this stage, everyone can check the state of the astronauts. The next hazard they face is then the bump of landing. Helen Sharman recalls enduring a violent rolling of the Soyuz over the steppe before it settled, and the microphones inside her helmet bruising her mouth.

After landing, everyone is warned to avoid the underneath of the Soyuz capsule. First, the altimeter that monitors proximity to the ground is powered by gamma-rays – so it needs to be made safe by specialists. So do the small rocket motors that provide cushioning just before touchdown – there’s a risk if one has not ignited properly.