For those that know Tim;

British astronaut Tim Peake is going on a mission to an asteroid... at the bottom of the ocean.

"Major Tim" is joining Nasa's latest Neemo expedition to an underwater lab located near Key Largo, Florida.

He will spend 12 days in the Aquarius habitat with three crewmates, testing new tools and techniques that could be used on a real mission to a space rock.

Nasa is planning a huge new rocket to send an advanced manned capsule to an asteroid sometime in the 2020s.

Astronauts have long trained in deep pools to simulate the weightlessness of working in orbit, but the Neemo expeditions take that idea to another level, allowing crews to simulate extended periods off Earth but without actually leaving the planet.

"It's an excellent analogue for what we do in space," explained Major Tim, a former British Army Air Corps helicopter pilot.

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/60786000/jpg/_60786562_60786561.jpg

BBC News - UK astronaut Tim Peake makes 'asteroid splashdown' (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-18372841)

To quote John Young:

"You ain't an astronaut until you've flown in space."

Harsh perhaps, and, of course, it opens up a whole new line of questions.

You learn something new every day. Didn't know asteroids had oceans.

Well there are 'seas' on the moon.

:ugh: Everyone knows that. That's why Neil Armstrong nearly ran out of fuel landing the Eagle, he was dodging puddles.

So he's just gone on a diving exped with the NASA diving club then.

To quote John Young:

"You ain't an astronaut until you've flown in space."

Harsh perhaps, and, of course, it opens up a whole new line of questions.

Like you're not really a fighter pilot 'til you've shot something down? ;)

I shot down a Jindivik once - does that count? :}

When all the jealousy has subsided, and if he goes to space or not, one thing remains...Tim is a thoroughly decent bloke and I'm very proud to have his name in my flying log book...That said, he needs to get Chinese nationality sharpish to get off the planet!

To quote John Young:

"You ain't an astronaut until you've flown in space."

...and you ain't a professional pilot unless....:p

I landed on a hemorrhoid once:p

Like you're not really a fighter pilot 'til you've shot something down?

:=

When all the jealousy has subsided
Weak, a higher standard of banter is expected. ;)

...and you ain't a professional pilot unless....

Er, you're on Christmas duty again?

Looks as if Tim Peake will be getting in to space - 5 months on the International Space Station in 2015.

Congratulations :D

Briton picked for five-month mission on International Space Station in 2015 | Science | The Observer (http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2013/may/19/tim-peake-mission-space-station)

Had the pleasure of working with Tim at Boscombe, very pleased to see it looks like he will get his chance.

I hope he flies to the ISS with a Union Flag on his left arm, unlike the last(?) "British" astronaut, who chose to go with his US citizenship nailed firmly to it.